Imagine receiving an invitation to a personal Q & A with a royal dignitary. Consider how you might feel, perhaps honored, privileged, or potentially baffled, wondering what qualified you for this opportunity. The truth is, unless we are high-profile newscasters or renowned journalists, it’s not likely that you or I will ever receive an invitation such as this. However, far superior to addressing any dignitary, is the privileged invitation we’ve been extended by Jesus to ask of Him.
Ask Anything in My Name
On the night before Jesus was crucified, He was brutally honest in sharing some truly difficult things with the disciples. The problem was that nothing He said made sense, at least in that moment. They could not understand why He had to leave, where He was going, and when He would return. And sensing their confusion. Jesus explained that although He was going away, His friends would have continued access to His Presence and Power through prayer, specifically, prayer offered in His Name. And with this, Jesus extended a truly stellar invitation saying,
Ask me for anything in My Name and I will do it! (John 14:14 NLT)
Greater Works
If you’ve spent any time in the gospels, then you are aware that Jesus was noted for saying some seemingly outlandish things. The following is one of these statements,
I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father (John 14:12 NLT).
I can only imagine the thoughts reeling through the disciples’ minds when Jesus said this.
I say this as I too am personally challenged every time I read these words, knowing the kind of works Jesus did: walking on water and raising a friend from the dead to name only a few! However, then I realize that the context of this verse directly relates back to Jesus’ invitation to ask for anything and His promise to do whatever is asked of Him.
Jesus was obviously not suggesting that His followers or anyone for that matter, ask to be greater than He was. Nor was He suggesting that His followers would do greater works than He did. Instead, He was inviting His followers to ask Him to accomplish His great works through them. Jesus was in fact declaring that by asking through prayer in His Name, and by the power of His Spirit, His followers would continue in His great work of loving the world, The Great Commandment, and evangelizing the lost, The Great Commission.
Praying Like Jesus
Once again, Jesus’ invitation to ask was not intended as a formula guaranteeing personal wants. Instead, it was a privileged invitation to pray using His Name as His representative. And as His representatives, we no longer pray for whatever we want, instead we pray for what He desires. When we pray for what He desires, we are praying in alignment with His Father’s will. And when we pray like this, we are praying just like Jesus.
Far superior to addressing a dignitary or celebrity is the stellar invitation Jesus extends to ask of Him.
A Model for Asking
The gospel of Luke includes the narrative of Jesus praying alone when a disciple approached Him with a request: “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples to pray” (Luke 11:1 ESV). Jesus responded but not with a method, rather a model for praying.
Jesus began by addressing God as Father, acknowledging His Name as Holy, and praying for His will to be accomplished. He then proceeded with a series of “asks” in demonstration of His complete dependence on His Father for every need.
Jesus taught us to ask for:
Daily Provision
Give us each day the food we need. (Luke 11:3 NLT)
Forgiveness for Ourselves and for Others
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. (Luke 11:4 NLT)
Power to Resist Temptation
[D]on’t let us yield to temptation. (Luke 11:4 NLT)
Deliverance from Evil
Rescue us from the evil one. (Matthew 6:13 NLT) *This is only included in Matthew’s extended version of this prayer
And like Jesus, we too must seek the Father daily in humility, dependence and complete assurance, believing that He is able through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might [ASK] or think (Ephesians 3:20 NLT).
So perhaps today take some time in gratitude, thanking Jesus for the invitation that He has extended to you to ask of Him. Then continue in prayer asking Him to reveal the great works He desires to do in and through you for His purpose, glory and honor.
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: 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 what we ASKED of him (1 John 5:14-15 NLT).
Pray
Holy Jesus, it is an honor to know you as Savior and friend. Thank you for the invitation to ask you for all things, and for the privilege to pray in your powerful name. Empower me by your Spirit to ask you for greater things; things that please you, accomplish your purposes and align with your will. In your perfect name I pray, Amen
Community Question of the Week
In what ways are you encouraged by Jesus’s invitation to ask in prayer using His Name? Encourage others with your response HERE!
Worship
Extend grace to others!
If you’ve been encouraged, strengthened, or edified by this week’s post, please consider sharing Grace Notes for You with a friend.
