Monday, May 21, 2007

Bits & Pieces: Prayer Promises

"Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it," (John 14:13, 14).

* In these two verses the Lord Jesus reveals the pattern, purpose, and promise of prevailing prayer. Basic to answered prayer is asking according to the Lord's will, implied in the phrase, 'in My name.' The purpose of prayer is to glorify the Father, meaning He receives the credit and the praise. And the promise of answered prayer is based on who the Lord Jesus is: our sovereign Savior.

* Too often we use the phrase, 'in Jesus' Name' with little or no thought of the implications involved. Tacking the phrase on the end of our prayer, as if it were a magical formula for getting what we want is to miss the spirit of Jesus' promise. He so desires that we glorify the Father by praying with the supreme purpose of submission to His will.

* At first glance, the Lord Jesus seems to be offering a signed blank check to us, bidding us ask for every whim imaginable. The phrase, 'in My Name', however, involves an immeasurably holy standard by which He answers. Submission to His will, a deep desire to glorify the Father, and please the Son, are part of what it means to pray, 'in His Name.'


No comments: