⁷ “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”

Among the great promises about prayer in the Bible, our passage contains Jesus’ simple invitation to “ask whatever you wish.” What a fantastic, wonderful message. Leaders of big businesses pay enormous sums of money to hear the latest leadership gurus proclaim their “key” to successful leadership. Large organizations commission well-known sports heroes to come talk with their employees about commitment and motivation, paying large honorariums. Donors give huge “gifts” to gain Golden Subscriber privileges to meet the concert performers or media personalities, or other famous people backstage. Some political contributors stream money to campaigns, in order gain the ear of a politician.

Here we have a humble carpenter who “started from scratch” (so to speak), holding audience with a small group of followers—men who were about to launch a worldwide “organization” that would eclipses all other organizations that have ever existed. It has outlasted the mighty Roman empire; it has spawned the largest ever social movement to help the downtrodden, the sick and the disadvantaged; this movement has revolutionized more lives than any other movement the world has every known. And at the center of it all is Jesus.

Who wouldn’t pay all they had to sit in on that training session in the Upper Room, His last, extended conference with them that we have a record of. In the midst of it, this nugget, this gem, this inspirational poster material statement rings forth and echoes down through the ages. One of the greatest sayings of all time, from the mouth of the Son of God. When He speaks, we need to listen!

The cost of this consultation is free. Bibles are free, online or in hotel rooms, or just lying around somewhere. To hear Jesus’ insights is indeed free, but to implement it carries a cost. That’s where the pre-requisite comes in. We who hear these words can ask God “whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” The pre-requisite cost is abiding in Christ and His words abiding in us.

Psalm 37 resonated with this, “Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart” (Ps 37:4). The qualification for answered prayer is a dynamic, personal relationship with Christ. Answered prayer flows from lives that are intermingled with Him, enjoying His presence, infiltrated by and saturated in His word. Such a life makes requests even the Sovereign of the Universe finds compelling. Why? Because those requests flow from an abiding, delighting heart that is aligned with Him.

Lord, let my prayers flow from a heart that has been transformed by You.