Quotes & Notes
- We have-Faith anticipates the blessings. The petitions
which we asked of him-Even before the event. And when the event comes,
we know it comes in answer to our prayer.
- John Wesley Notes
- Seeing we are satisfied that he hears the prayer of faith,
requesting the things which himself has promised; we know, consequently,
that we have the petitions-the answer to the petitions, that we desired
of him; for he cannot deny himself; and we may consider them as sure as
if we had them; and we shall have them as soon as we plead for and need
them. We are not to ask to-day for mercy that we now need, and not
receive it till to-morrow, or some future time. God gives it to him who
prays, when it is needful.
-
Adam Clarke Commentary
- And if we know that he hear us. That is, if we are assured of this
as a true doctrine, then, even though we may not see immediately that
the prayer is answered, we may have the utmost confidence that it is not
disregarded, and that it will be answered in the way best adapted to
promote our good. The specific thing that we may not indeed be granted,
(comp. Lu 22:42; 2Co 12:8,9,) but the prayer with not be disregarded,
and the thing which is most for our good wilt be bestowed upon us. The
argument here is derived from the faithfulness of God; from the
assurance which we that when he has promised to hear us, there will be,
sooner or later a real answer to the prayer.
We know that we have the petitions. That is, evidently, we know that we
shall have them, or that the prayer will be answered. It cannot mean
that we already have the precise thing for which we prayed, or that will
be a real answer to the prayer, for
(a.) the prayer may relate to something future, as protection on a
journey, or a harvest, or restoration to health, or the safe return of a
son from a voyage at sea, or the salvation of our souls--all of which
are future, and which cannot be expected to be granted at once; and
(b.) the answer to prayer is sometimes delayed, though ultimately
granted. There may be reasons why the answer should be deferred, and the
promise is not that it shall be immediate. The delay may arise from such
causes as these:
(1.) To try our faith, and see whether the blessing is earnestly
desired.
(2.) Perhaps it could not be at once answered without a miracle.
(3.) It might not be consistent with the Divine arrangements respecting
others to grant it to us at once.
(4.) Our own condition may not be such that it would be best to answer
it at once. We may need further trial, further chastisement, before the
affliction, for example, shall be removed; and the answer to the prayer
may be delayed for months or years. Yet, in the meantime, we may have
the firmest assurance that the prayer is heard, and that it will be
answered in the way and at the period when God shall see it to-be best.
- Albert
Barnes Commentary
- We have, as present possessions, everything whatsoever we desired
(asked) from Him. Not one of our past prayers offered in faith,
according to His will, is lost. Like Hannah, we can rejoice over them as
granted even before the event; and can recognize the event when it comes
to pass, as not from chance, but obtained by our past prayers. Compare
also Jehoshaphat's believing confidence in the issue of his prayers, so
much so that he appointed singers to praise the Lord beforehand. - Jamieson-Faucett-Brown
Commentary
- And if we know (kai ean oidamen). Condition of first class
with ean (usually ei) and the perfect active indicative, assumed as
true. See 1Th 3:8; Ac 8:31 for the indicative with ean as in the papyri.
"An amplification of the second limitation" (D. Smith). Whatsoever we
ask (ho ean aitômetha). Indefinite relative clause with modal ean (=an)
and the present middle (as for ourselves) subjunctive of aiteô. This
clause, like hêmôn, is also the object of akouei. We know that we have (oidamen
hoti echomen). Repetition of oidamen, the confidence of possession by
anticipation. The petitions (ta aitêmata). Old word, from aiteô,
requests, here only in John, elsewhere in N.T. Lu 23:24; Php 4:6. We
have the answer already as in Mr 11:24. We have asked (êitêkamen).
Perfect active indicative of aiteô, the asking abiding. - Robertson's Word Pictures
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