Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 John 5:14

14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask any thing according to his will , he heareth us

Viz. According to his Will, not negatively, as it only doth not forbid our praying for, or enjoying such, as such things, but possitively, i. e. according to his Will signify'd, 1. By his Commands, i. e. when the matter of our Prayers is some spiritual good thing, which was before the matter of our Duty; as when we pray for Grace to enable us to be, and to do what he requires us, as far as our present state will admit. 2. By his Promises, which are more absolute and particular, in reference to things of that Nature, Matth. 5.6. Luke 11.13. In reference to things of an inferiour Nature, of a conditional Tenor; or more general, the things promised coming under the common Notion of good things, not in themselves only, but for us, in present circumstances; which, whether they be, or no, he reserves to himself the liberty of determining, and doth only promise them, if they be; and so we are only to pray for them; for that is praying, according to what signification he hath given us of his Will, in such cases. And so we are always sure to be heard in the former Case in the very particular kind, about which his Will is expressly made known before-hand.

Marginal references: Or, concerning him.; Chap. 3.22.