Accusation and condemnation are prayer killers. As John notes, "When our hearts don’t condemn us, we have a bold freedom to speak face-to-face with God” A condemning heart is one that robs a son or daughter of intimacy with God because it causes us to wonder, “Why would God want to talk to me, much less answer me?”

If accusation and condemnation are the disease, what is the cure? The mercy of God, says John. “God is much greater and more merciful than our conscience…” (v. 20a).

When we hear the promises of the Word—“whatever we ask of him we receive” and “he will give you the desires of your heart”—we immediately go to a rules orientation: what do I have to do to get it?

But what if being a son or a daughter is enough?