⁷ What other nation is so great^(A) as to have their gods near^(B) them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to him?

²⁴ God is spirit,^(A) and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

²⁰ If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. ²¹ Dear friends,^(A) if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God^{(B) 22} and receive from him anything we ask,^(C) because we keep his commands^(D) and do what pleases him.^(E)

²³ Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching.^(A) My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.^(B)

Prayer^(A)

⁵ “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing^(B) in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. ⁶ But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father,^(C) who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. ⁷ And when you pray, do not keep on babbling^(D) like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.^{(E) 8} Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need^(F) before you ask him.