And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
The confidence, х parreesia (G3954)] - "boldness" (1 John 4:17) in prayer, from bowing that we have eternal life (1 John 5:13; 1 John 3:19-22).
According to his will - which is the believer's will, and therefore no restraint to his prayers. In so far as God's will is not ours, we are not abiding in faith, and our prayers are not accepted. Alford, If we knew God's will, and submitted to it heartily, it would be impossible for us to ask anything for the spirit or the body which He should not perform: it is this ideal state which the apostle has in view. It is the Spirit who teaches us inwardly, and Himself in us asks according to the will of God.