Slices
Prepare
Reflect on times when God has answered your prayers with either a yes or a no.
Bible passage
Concluding affirmations
13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. 14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us – whatever we ask – we know that we have what we asked of him.
16 If you see any brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death, you should pray and God will give them life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that you should pray about that. 17 All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death.
18 We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them. 19 We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. 20 We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.
21 Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.
Explore
As a parent, I am often asked for things by my children. Sometimes I delight in saying yes, but there are other times when it’s a no. No matter the pleading, convincing or puppy-dog eyes, there are times when I stick to my answer. This is not to be cruel or a power play. This is because I say yes to things that are good for them and sometimes I know that what they are asking for is not ultimately for their good. If I love my children, sometimes it’s good to say no to their requests.
This is why John tells us to pray for anything according to God’s will and it will be given. If it is within what the Father wills, he will hear us and we shall receive what we ask (v 14).
The book concludes by returning to talking about sin, particularly that we should pray for our brother or sister who is sinning (v 16). Is this something we do? The final verse entreats God’s children to keep ourselves from idols, having issued a warning that the world is under the power of the evil one (v 19) but that we can know the true God (v 20).
Respond
Is there something on your heart to pray for? Ask God how to pray for that situation. Spend time listening to him and being led by him.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Jeremiah 11,12; John 5
Pray for Scripture Union
Earlier this year, 30 former members of staff met at SU’s national office, Trinity House, with four others joining online to enjoy fellowship, catch up with the work of SU and pray together. Give thanks for those who have served faithfully in the past. Pray for those who struggle with the varied pressures of growing older.
