1 John 5:13-15 - "13I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life. 14 And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. 15 And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for."

Verse 14 says we can be confident we receive what we ask for, when we ask for what pleases Him. That sent me off on an adventure in my bible, searching for "what pleases God." I found out that Paul said in his letter to the Colossians 3:20 - "Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord."

The author of Hebrews 13:16 said: "But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased."

It pleased God that Solomon asked for wisdom to judge His people properly in 1 Kings 3:10 - "And the speech pleased the LORD, that Solomon had asked this thing."

In 1 John 5:16-17, it is written "16 If you see a Christian brother or sister sinning in a way that does not lead to death, you should pray, and God will give that person life. But there is a sin that leads to death, and I am not saying you should pray for those who commit it."

This scripture says we can pray for people we see sinning, and God will give them life. Well, I'm praying for people, and it doesn't matter to me whether he meant life in heaven or life on earth, he said LIFE!

Jesus said "7Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened." Matthew 7:7-8 NLT

He also said "22You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it.” Matthew 21:22 NLT

If you don't want to believe Paul, believe Jesus, that whatever we ask for, believing, we will receive! So we can pray for others to receive salvation, forgiveness for sins and healing, and they'll receive, if we believe! Incredible? You may say, only those who wish to be saved can be, if they turn to God themselves. Really? Who's the God who can change hearts? Our God! Whose Word is true? Our God's! Some people believe bits and pieces of it, I choose to believe all of it, and if it says God will give life to someone, if we pray for them, I'm gonna do it! I encourage all of you reading this today, to consider your friends and family members, and enemies, yes, them also who have hurt you, to pray to our God and ask Him, in Jesus' name, to heal their hearts, change their hearts, forgive their hearts and save their hearts, and believe He will, because IT IS WRITTEN!

Read 1 Samuel 10:9 - "[ Samuel’s Signs Are Fulfilled ] As Saul turned and started to leave, God gave him a new heart, and all Samuel’s signs were fulfilled that day."

BUT, when you're praying for your enemies (or family members) remember what Jesus said in Mark 11:25 - "25But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too."

It could be that the reason we don't receive answers sometimes, is because we need to forgive someone.

Jesus said "24I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours." Mark 11:24 NLT

He also said "23At that time you won’t need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name. 24 You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy." John 16:23-24 NLT