1 John 5:14,15 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

And this is the farther confidence Παρρησια, boldness; that we have in, or with, him, that if we ask any thing See on Matthew 7:7; according to his will His revealed will, (for his word shows us what things we may lawfully ask,) he heareth us Not only observes and takes notice of our petitions, but favourably regards them, and will assuredly grant them if he sees, and as far as he sees, that it will be for our present and eternal good to have them granted: see 1 John 5:15. Archbishop Tillotson supposes that this refers particularly to the apostles. “But so few of the apostles could be concerned in this advice of St. John, and there are so many promises of the answer of prayer scattered up and down in the Old and New Testaments, that I,” says Dr. Doddridge, “would by no means thus confine the interpretation.” The truth is, with regard to all spiritual blessings, such as illumination of mind, remission of sins, the divine favour, adoption into God's family, regeneration and sanctification through his Holy Spirit, grace to help us in time of need, and eternal life, we may be sure God will grant them, if we ask them sincerely, importunately, perseveringly, and in faith, complying, in the mean time, through his grace, with the conditions or terms, on our complying with which God hath suspended the accomplishment of his promises of these blessings, namely, repentance toward him, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and in the truths and promises of his gospel. But with respect to temporal blessings, as we do not know how far it would be good for us to receive them, we must ask them with entire submission to the divine will, persuaded that if we seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, other things, that he knows to be needful and useful, shall be added unto us; and that he who gives grace and glory, will withhold no good thing from them that walk uprightly. And if we know that he heareth us, we know Even before the event, (for faith anticipates the blessings,) that we have the petitions that we desired of him And when they are received, we know they are given in answer to our prayers. The meaning of this is, that God's hearing is not in vain; but that, as he hears in general, so he will grant in due time, and in his own way, those particular mercies which we ask of him.