13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. 14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.REFLECTIONSWritten by Monica LyAre there times when you feel uncertain in approaching God? Perhaps you're not sure how to talk to Him? Or perhaps, as you wait on Him for a response, you're wondering if He really hears you?In this passage, John assures us that we should have every confidence in approaching God, whenever we pray, not in line with our will, but His will. Not our desires, but His desires. And when I reflect on what pleases God in 1 John, I can't help but be reminded of the importance of keeping His commands, believing in the name of His Son, and loving one another. As I reflect on my own prayer life it is both convicting and comforting at the same time. On the one hand I'm reminded of all the times when prayer has become a device for imposing my will upon God.  While I know that God is our heavenly father who cares for our every need, I wonder if at times if my prayers treats Him more like a genie; simply there to grant my every request. Yet, in His kindness, I'm also reminded of the times when I've felt a measure of peace and assurance in asking for help with a particular sin, or to increase my ability to love a difficult person, or for the strength to hold on to Christ daily. Consider how you can be shaping your mindset and your prayers in line with His will and His desires? 1 John regards this as the antidote for uncertainty in our prayer life. But while we may have to wait upon Him to respond in His own way and timing, we can rejoice and be comforted with knowing that he hears us!ABOUT THE AUTHORMonica is a member of our Fairfield Morning Church.