¹³ “Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. ¹⁴ If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.”

Pithy statements on prayer abound. Nothing is more simple and to the point, and “pithy,” than Jesus’ own statements about prayer. The verse for today is one of those. He invites His followers to request anything of God in the Name of Jesus Christ and He promises to answer the request. Is this a blank check for gaining wealth, or power, or prestige? We just need to claim what is ours by faith? Hardly. But then what do we make of this statement?

First observation, the invitation is to ask. Nothing said about demanding, holding God to His word or claiming (all popular but erroneous notions of prayer today). Asking implies humility, need, ceding control. Prayer is not a way to “turn the hand of God” as though we know better than the Sovereign, infinitely wise, all knowing Creator and Sustainer of the Universe, who sees all, and is everywhere present. We mere human creatures are invited not to direct God or tell Him what to do, but we are invited to simply ask in humility. In this asking, there is an implicit acceptance of whatever answer God gives, whether yes, no or wait. What a wonderful thing for Jesus to leave the men in the Upper Room, an invitation to ask God for what they need.

Second, the asking must be in Jesus’ name. We must take this in connection with the preceding verse. We are invited to ask God’s help for doing the kinds of things Jesus was doing and even greater things. It is a truism that God’s ways will not lack God’s resources. He would never make a promise for us for which there are not enough resources to bring it to pass. But rather than simply make all His promises manifest for us in a passive way, He invites us not as peons, but as partners with Him, in carrying out the work of God. So rather than just give us what we need, He invites us to see the need and then ask Him for the resources to accomplish what He wants for us. That is more like a partnership than an unthinking slavish, hireling relationship. Third, notice, the response to the Christian’s request is, “I will do”, not, “I will give.” It is true that God will sometimes give us something that we ask Him for, but more importantly, God “will do” for us what we ask. He is the answer, not what He gives us. The answer we need is not a thing, but a person. A divine Person.

As followers of Christ, we should live in the light of His promise and His presence, and we should ask Him for the resources to do His work.

Lord, help me see clearly the work You have for me to do, and to fearlessly, and confidently bring my needs to You, so that You can enable me to do that work.