1 John 3:22

“And whatsoever we ask we receive of him, &c.] According to his promise, (<400707>Matthew 7:7); that is, whatever is asked according to the will of God, in the name of Christ, and for his sake, and in faith, nothing wavering, but believing in God, in his covenant and promises, for these are provisos in the case; and such as ask in this way may exercise an holy confidence that they shall receive; and indeed they do receive what they ask for; (see <620514>1 John 5:14 <431413>John 14:13,14 <402122>Matthew 21:22); because we keep his commandments; not that keeping the commands of God is the meritorious cause of receiving anything from him; for when men have done all they can, or are assisted to…”

“we receive--as a matter of fact, according to His promise. Believers, as such, ask only what is in accordance with God's will; or if they ask what God wills not, they bow their will to God's will, and so God grants them either their request, or something better than it. because we keep his commandments--Compare Psa 66:18; Psa 34:15; Psa 145:18-19. Not as though our merits earned a hearing for our prayers, but when we are believers in Christ, all our works of faith being the fruit of His Spirit in us, are "pleasing in God's sight"; and our prayers being the voice of the same Spirit of God in us, naturally and necessarily are answered by Him.”

“And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him - If we are truly his children, and ask in a proper manner. See the notes at Matthew 7:7. Compare Mark 11:24; Luke 11:9; Luke 18:1 ff; John 14:13; Joh 15:7; 1 John 5:14. The declaration here made must be understood with these limitations: (1)That we ask in a proper manner, James 4:3; and, (2)That the thing asked shall be such as will be consistent for God to give; that is, such as he shall see to be best for us, 1 John 5:14. See the notes at this latter passage. Because we keep his commandments - Not that this is the meritorious ground of our being heard, but that it furnishes evidence that we are his children, and he hears his children as such. And…”

“whatsoever: Jo1 5:14; Psa 10:17, Psa 34:4, Psa 34:15-17, Psa 50:15, Psa 66:18, Psa 66:19, Psa 145:18, Psa 145:19; Pro 15:29; Pro 28:9; Isa 1:15, Isa 55:6, Isa 55:7; Jer 29:12, Jer 29:13, Jer 33:3; Mat 7:7, Mat 7:8, Mat 21:22; Mar 11:24; Luk 11:9-13; Joh 9:31, Joh 14:13, Joh 15:7, Joh 16:23, Joh 16:24; Jam 1:5, Jam 5:16 because: Jo1 3:23, Jo1 3:24; Mat 7:24, Mat 7:25, Mat 17:5; Joh 15:10; Act 17:30, Act 20:21 do: Joh 6:29, Joh 8:29, Joh 9:31; Phi 4:18; Col 1:10; Heb 13:21 1 John 3:23”