07.20

Answered Prayer Promised in Jesus' Name ""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)"

We who belong to the Lord have a great invitation to thoroughly express our hearts to Him
in humble, dependent prayer. "Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart
before Him" (Psalm 62:8). We also have a great need to speak to Him. "Without Me you can
do nothing" (John 15:5). We also have great promises of answered prayer. "And whatever you
ask in My name, that I will do. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it."

When the people of God are prayerless, they do not receive from the Lord all that He wants
to give to them. "You do not have because you do not ask" (James 4:2). At times, God's
children pray, but they still do not receive from the Lord. "You ask and do not receive,
because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures" (James 4:3). Their prayers
are anchored in their own wills and interests. True praying is to be anchored in the will
of God. "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).

At this juncture, the Scriptures are vital in our daily prayer life. God's word directs us
in praying according to the will of God. "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you,
you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you" (John 15:7). As we are abiding
in (depending upon) Christ, we will want His word to have full sway in our lives. As we
consistently get into His word, the Scriptures shape our thoughts and our desires.
Consequently, we ask what the Lord teaches us to desire. In that beautiful biblical
setting, He promises to give us whatever we ask.

All of this describes the essence of praying in the name of Jesus. Praying in Jesus' name
is not merely a formula of words with which to conclude our prayers. Whether we verbalize
that phrase or not, it is about praying as Jesus would pray (always concerned with the
will of His Father). It is about praying based on all that the word teaches concerning the
person and work of the Lord Jesus on our behalf. Those who pray this way enjoy the
certainty of these great promises of answered prayer, and they see much glory brought to
God. "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."

"Lord Jesus, thank You for these great promises of answered prayer. Teach me to pray in
Your name. Please shape my praying by all that Your word reveals concerning Your will and
Your work on my behalf. In Your precious name, I pray, Amen."