I John 3:22 “And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.”
There is great comfort and peace in knowing that “whatsoever we ask, we receive of him”! If we are not “rightly dividing the word of truth” (II Timothy 2:15) of this passage, we are bound to fall into great error and suffer disappointment; for, the carnal mind will expand this blessed truth to include satisfaction of our carnal lusts. For example, my wife and I are blessed with adequate transportation; but, my lust meter pegs every time I see a GMC Yukon Denali. This passage is not telling us that our Lord will satisfy our every lust; for, we are also told that “… this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:” (I John 5:14). Thus, those who are striving to “keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight” are the same as those who are spiritually minded, and they love the Lord and cherish “his will” above all human lusts and desires. This is why we are given this pattern for prayer: “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.” (Luke 11:2). With an earnest desire to submit to God’s “will” we often conclude our prayers with the petition that God would grant those things we ask of Him “according to His will”. Though often we do not understand the purpose of His “will”, we are at peace with God’s “will” being done because we highly reverence His Holy Name (Psalms 111:9).