A focus on the parentage people are from precedes the mention of prayer. John, pursuing his theme to show reasons that can assure people they have eternal life, has several phases in his logic. He says that the calling to the family of God necessitates that the children be like their Father (1–2). This leads on to characteristics of family connection, which reflect the likeness (3–11). Verse 10 gives the contrast of these point-blank with those who may claim that they are believers but who actually