Jesus isn’t giving a secret magic phrase to get whatever we want.
What if we ask for something which, in the end, would harm us or lead us away from Him? What if we ask for God to harm someone else who angered us? God isn’t our personal genie, nor does He want to give us things that would harm us or others.
However, What Jesus is saying is that as we believe and follow Him, He is there with us. He will provide for us. As we live and act in His name (as His people) “do[ing] the works [He] had been doing,” we can ask Him to help and to provide for us, and He will give that help and providence.
Sometimes we feel like we shouldn’t ask God for help.
After all, He’s already done so much for us, and we really don’t deserve it. And when we do ask for things, we try to make them “reasonable” or keep them small.
Jesus is telling us that we shouldn’t be shy in asking God to help in all aspects of our lives and our ministry according to His good and loving will. In fact, He will give much more than we ask that it may bring glory to the Father.
Prayer is incredibly powerful both in what God promises to do and in what it does to us. I want to encourage you in your prayer life. So, over the next few devotions, we’re going to explore prayer. I hope you’ll join us each day.
Dear Jesus,
I can’t do this without You. Please be with me today. Please guide me and lead me. Please forgive me and keep me from sin. Remind me of Your promises. Work in me to bring You honor and glory today through my words and actions that others may Glorify Your Name. May Thy will be done. I pray this as one marked in Your name.
Amen.