Ask For Anything Really?
We continue our study of John 14 (please read the entire chapter). Was Jesus kidding or did He mean what He said as follows?
“12 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. 13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you
ask anything in My name, I will do it.” John 14:12-14
Really Jesus? Do you really mean I can do the same works you did and even greater? Jesus, I can ask anything in your name? Please tell me you are not kidding and that you are not teasing me. Yes, Yes, Yes and Yes! “Ask anything in My name.” In this discourse, John 14-16, Jesus said the same thing “anything” about three times.
How can it be? It is because Jesus has gone away to heaven and have sent His Holy Spirit to all believers in Jesus. Remember the Holy Spirit is our “Helper” as we learned last week. Jesus said it was necessary I go away so that the Holy Spirit can come. The Holy Spirit has come (see Acts 2).
How can it be? You must also go to the beginning of the chapter – “You believe in God, believe also in Me.” Without believe, trust and faith in God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, then forget about all the promises of God. They are not for you if you do not believe in Him. There must be no doubting of who God is in our praying and daily walk with Him (see Hebrews 11:6).
What is anything in the “ask anything in My name? Anything does not mean all things. All things means we would be asking for even evil things also but anything means that we ask for those things that are in accord with His name and with Himself and are in accordance with His will. “In Jesus name” should not be the end of our prayers but should be the beginning of our prayers. Before we ask, we must ask is this in Jesus name and His will and His character?
Now you ask, how do we know His will? We know His will because He sent the Holy Spirit to live in us and who teaches and reveals all thing to us. Listen to Paul, “26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” Romans 8:26-27.
We know the will of God by being in relationship with and spending with Him through the Holy Spirit in prayer and His word. Jesus is calling us for an intimate relationship. When you are intimate with God you will know His character and what He wants.
Saints, there are many things we can ask for that we know for sure are in accordance with God’s will. We can start with these:
1. Ask for the Holy Spirit, His revelation “13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” Luke 11:13)
2. Ask for wisdom, - “5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting” James 1:5-6
3. Ask for the laborers in God’s harvest – “37 Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. 38 Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” Matthew 9:37-38.
4. Ask for the life and restoration of a friends, neighbors who are not yet in relationship with Jesus.
5. Ask for healing, “14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.” James 5:14-15.
What do you need from Jesus today? Ask, Seek, Knock and you will find. Ask now and pray without ceasing. Dear Holy Spirit, please help us in our praying, asking and doing your will. Help us to hear clearly from you and to be patient in waiting for you. Please grant us endurance to persevere in all things. Amen.
“12 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. 13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you
ask anything in My name, I will do it.” John 14:12-14
Really Jesus? Do you really mean I can do the same works you did and even greater? Jesus, I can ask anything in your name? Please tell me you are not kidding and that you are not teasing me. Yes, Yes, Yes and Yes! “Ask anything in My name.” In this discourse, John 14-16, Jesus said the same thing “anything” about three times.
How can it be? It is because Jesus has gone away to heaven and have sent His Holy Spirit to all believers in Jesus. Remember the Holy Spirit is our “Helper” as we learned last week. Jesus said it was necessary I go away so that the Holy Spirit can come. The Holy Spirit has come (see Acts 2).
How can it be? You must also go to the beginning of the chapter – “You believe in God, believe also in Me.” Without believe, trust and faith in God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, then forget about all the promises of God. They are not for you if you do not believe in Him. There must be no doubting of who God is in our praying and daily walk with Him (see Hebrews 11:6).
What is anything in the “ask anything in My name? Anything does not mean all things. All things means we would be asking for even evil things also but anything means that we ask for those things that are in accord with His name and with Himself and are in accordance with His will. “In Jesus name” should not be the end of our prayers but should be the beginning of our prayers. Before we ask, we must ask is this in Jesus name and His will and His character?
Now you ask, how do we know His will? We know His will because He sent the Holy Spirit to live in us and who teaches and reveals all thing to us. Listen to Paul, “26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” Romans 8:26-27.
We know the will of God by being in relationship with and spending with Him through the Holy Spirit in prayer and His word. Jesus is calling us for an intimate relationship. When you are intimate with God you will know His character and what He wants.
Saints, there are many things we can ask for that we know for sure are in accordance with God’s will. We can start with these:
1. Ask for the Holy Spirit, His revelation “13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” Luke 11:13)
2. Ask for wisdom, - “5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting” James 1:5-6
3. Ask for the laborers in God’s harvest – “37 Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. 38 Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” Matthew 9:37-38.
4. Ask for the life and restoration of a friends, neighbors who are not yet in relationship with Jesus.
5. Ask for healing, “14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.” James 5:14-15.
What do you need from Jesus today? Ask, Seek, Knock and you will find. Ask now and pray without ceasing. Dear Holy Spirit, please help us in our praying, asking and doing your will. Help us to hear clearly from you and to be patient in waiting for you. Please grant us endurance to persevere in all things. Amen.
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