Ask for Anything in My Name

Lesson #228

In the last lesson we discussed the works that we can do that are considered greater than those done by Jesus, but to try to do those works in our own strength will produce only limited results at best. We need help and Jesus now instructs his disciples where to find that help. “And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it” (John 14:13 – 14 NKJV). From a quick reading of the verse, there seems to be a promise without a practical condition; Ask anything in his name and he will do it. I can think of many things I could ask in his name that he would not answer. We must find what the limiting factor is when asking in his name.

Let us look at some verses like this one that have conditions. “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you” (John 15:7 ESV). Here the condition is that we must abide in him and his words abide in us. “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him” (1 John 5:14 – 15 NKJV). Here the condition is that we must ask anything according to his will. “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them” (Mark 11:24 NKJV).  Here the condition is belief; Do you really believe you will receive what you ask for? Any doubt and the answer is no.

If we ask anything in his name, does that mean the conditions stated above do not apply? I believe they do because there is unity in the word of God. When applying something from one place in Scripture, it must be supported by other Scripture and also harmonize with the whole. Therefore, all the above conditions must be included when asking for something in his name. I believe there is also a further limitation in that the request must relate to kingdom work being done. We are not to pray for things for ourselves when our focus is reaching people with the gospel to the glory of God. We can ask for anything in his name as long as it will enhance the work we were called to do in advancing the kingdom of Christ to the glory of God.

Prayer

Father, in view of this lesson, we need to evaluate what we pray for and determine whether our focus is ourselves or kingdom work. When we experience physical pain do we pray for our comfort or do we use our pain as a prompt to pray for our brothers and sisters who are suffering deep pain because of persecution? Do we pray for nicer things for ourselves or for those who have lost their jobs, their homes and so much more just because they are Christians? As people die by the thousands for not denying their faith, are we praying for boldness to live a life that sets us apart from those of the world? Father, you know what we ask for and I wonder to what extent our prayers please you.