“And receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him.” 1 John 3:22 NIV
John makes a staggering claim in this verse. John was not coming up with a new doctrine of prayer here. John was reflecting on the words of Jesus in the Upper Room, where He told the apostles (John 14:13-14), “Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.” He repeats the same promise in John 15:7, 16 and 16:23-24. The Bible never teaches that we can pray for selfish wishes and they will be granted in Aladdin’s genie fashion. To pray in Jesus’ name is to pray in accordance with His will. As in the Lord’s prayer, we are praying, “Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Furthermore, John adds that the reason we receive whatever we ask is, “because we keep his commands and do what pleases him.” God does not answer the prayers of the disobedient. To do what is pleasing in God’s sight refers to living with a God-ward focus, seeking to please Him beginning in our hearts and thoughts. When God doesn’t directly give us what we ask for, it is because He has given us what is best for us indirectly. He has responded according to His glory and according to our needs, both realized and unrealized by us. He knows what they are even if we don’t.
PRAYER THOUGHT
Thank You, Lord, for answering our prayers in a way that is best for us.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
Lord, may we never simply claim anything in Jesus’ name, but rather may we humbly ask for those things we desire and which are in accordance with Your will, knowing that You will respond according to our obedience and according to Your glory. AMEN
I.B.R.A. Readings
2 Samuel 6:1-15
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