Prayer that Gets Whatever We Ask

“In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father. In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father” (John 16: 23-28).

Jesus did not just tell His disciples that He was going to His Father. He invited them to approach the Father too, through prayer. Until now, they did not ask the Father for anything. They had the Son with them, so they simply asked Jesus whenever they had a need. Because He was departing, Jesus taught the disciples how to approach and ask the Father for whatever they needed to be full of joy. Note, He did not promise that they should expect God to grant anything they wished for. Jesus promised that the Father would answer their prayers to restore the fullness of their joy as His disciples. Jesus also told them to stop asking Him and start asking the Father. He taught them to use His name when they prayed to the Father. He revealed the precious truth that the name of Jesus is very significant and powerful in the Father’s ears. In this brief but revealing discourse, Jesus taught that even in this inhospitable and hostile world if we ask from a right heart and in the right name, our Father will fill us with joy as we approach Him with prayer that gets whatever we ask.

Do you ever wonder why God doesn’t answer every prayer? If He can do anything we ask why doesn’t He do everything we ask? If you’re like me, you have a list of requests that you’re waiting for Him to answer. My list has things that would make life easier, healthier, and more fun. I’m even asking God for some things that will make Him look good and bring Him some glory as He blesses me. Today we read that Jesus promised… “Whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you”. But He included a definition… “That your joy may be full “. You see, as we mature as Christ’s disciples we become more like Him… “A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher” (Luke 6:40). Our expectations become more like His. Our definition of joy becomes less like the world and more like His. Jesus’s greatest joy came when He brought glory to His Father… “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you” (John 17:1). He lived and died to glorify God, and He called His disciples to do the same… “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). Today we learn that answered prayer that produces joyful discipleship requires a heart that seeks to glorify and enjoy God… “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). When disciples seek to glorify God in their words and deeds, the Father promises to give them all they need to do so joyfully.

Jesus exhorted the disciples to go directly to the Father with their requests, but to approach the Father with the right name, Jesus. He taught that when the Father hears the name of the Son He is reminded that the petitioner loves and believes in the Son. It is through faith in the name of Jesus that we are saved… “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). It is through faith in the name of Jesus that we become children of God… “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12). Jesus taught that our Father loves to answer the prayers of His children… “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:11). Today we learn that answered prayer that produces joyful discipleship requires saving faith in the name of Jesus.

As we grow up into Christ glorifying God and praying in Jesus’ name, we will know the full joy of…

Prayer that Gets Whatever We Ask.