First Things First Pt. 4

January 19th, 2026
by Dr. Dwight James

Devotional Reading: 1 John 5:14-15 NIV

Devotional Reading

"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him."

Many of us approach prayer with hope, but not always with confidence. We wonder whether God hears us, whether our prayers matter, or whether we’re asking the “right” way. John reminds us that confidence in prayer doesn’t come from our words or our worthiness; it comes from alignment with God’s will.

When we pray according to God’s will, we can be sure that He hears us. And if He hears us, we can trust that He is already at work. This doesn’t mean every prayer is answered exactly as we expect or when we expect. It means God responds in a way that is best, wise, and rooted in His love for us.

Prayer is not about controlling outcomes; it’s about trusting the One who controls everything. Confidence grows when we stop trying to convince God and start agreeing with Him.

Practical Application:
Align before you ask:
Spend time listening in prayer and Scripture so your requests reflect God’s heart.

Pray with assurance:
When you pray according to His will, let go of doubt and trust that God hears you.

Rest in His response:
Trust God’s answer, even if it looks different from what was expected.

Keep praying:
Confidence grows through consistency, not perfection.

Devotional Prayer

Father, thank You that I can come to You with confidence. Help me to pray in alignment with Your will and to trust that You hear me every time I call on You. Strengthen my faith as I wait on Your answer, knowing You are always working for my good. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you haven't already, click the video below and watch "First Things First Pt. 4" on our Total Life Church YouTube channel. We encourage you to share this message of hope and comfort with your family and friends.

Please take advantage of our upcoming videos! Hit that subscribe button now to stay connected with our community and continue your spiritual journey with us.
-Pastor Dwight