1 John 5:14 - 17

14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, 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 the petitions that we have asked of Him.

16 If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that. 17 All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death.

The belief God will fulfill all of our prayers is shown to be incorrect by this verse. Only if we ask according to His will are we assured He will listen to our request.

We now know what it means “He hears us.” We know if we are asking for things which agree with the scripture our requests are filled. If our requests do not agree with the scripture they will not be granted.

A sin not leading unto death is like what is mentioned in Galatians 6:1 (Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.) John says when we discover someone in this condition we should pray for them. If someone repents of the sin as the result of the prayers then they are forgiven. James tells us in (James 5:15 – 16) our prayers have much good effect in these circumstances.

The sin which is unto death is like Hebrews 6:4 – 6 ( For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame. )This type of person has not reached the state of eternal death, but is headed well down the path to that destination. Paul tells us it is impossible for another to bring that person to repentance, so it is inconsistent to expect someone to pray for one who is so far into deliberate sin he cannot be induced to repent no matter who is pleading. So John is not asking anyone to pray for that kind of person.

All unrighteousness is sin, but some sins are worse than others.