1 John 3:21-22

παρρησίαν, see note on 1 John 2:28. ὃ ἐὰν αἰτῶμεν λαμβάνομεν, though not always in the form we expect or desire; the answer may be different from but it is always better than our prayer. St. Augustine draws a distinction between the hearing of prayer “ad salutem” and “ad voluntatem,” comparing the experience of St. Paul (2 Corinthians 12:7-9): “Rogasti, clamasti, terclamasti: ipsum semel quod clamasti audivi, non averti aures meas a te; novi quid faciam; tu vis auferri medicamentum quo ureris; ego novi infirmitatem qua gravaris. Ergo iste ad salutem exauditus est, ad voluntatem non est exauditus.… Tu morbum confitearis, ille medicamentum adhibeat.” Cf. Juan de Avila: “Go to prayer rather to hearken than to speak. Bend humbly and lovingly before God, expecting.” τηροῦμεν, see note on 1 John 2:3.