Hebrews 4:16
About this verseBecause of Jesus, believers can come boldly to God's throne of grace and find mercy and help exactly when they need it.
1 John 5:14
John says believers can be confident that when they ask anything in line with God's will, he hears them.
And here is the boldness we have in coming to him: whenever we ask for something in line with his will, he listens to us.
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Say the verse aloud, filling in each blank. Tap a blank for a hint.
What 1 John 5:14 means
John grounds confidence in prayer on being heard rather than on getting what we asked for. That distinction is what keeps the verse honest — it does not promise that every request is granted.
‘In line with His will’ is not a loophole but a description of what prayer is for: aligning our asking with what God is actually doing. The following verse adds that if he hears us, we know we have what we asked — confidence resting on his character rather than our wording.
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Questions about 1 John 5:14
What does 1 John 5:14 mean?
It means believers can approach God confidently, knowing that when they ask for anything in line with his will, he hears them.
Does 1 John 5:14 mean God answers every prayer?
It promises that he hears, and specifies prayer according to his will. It is not a guarantee that every request is granted as asked — the qualifier is part of the promise, not fine print.