“And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full” (John 16:23,24).
TEXT — John 16:23-28
Message
Sir Eric Roll told the story of a little boy who made a mistake while writing his geography examination, and he wrote Tokyo as the capital of France. Later, as he prayed fervently in church, his pastor heard him repeatedly say, ‘Tokyo, Tokyo, Tokyo’. Therefore, after the meeting, the minister commended his fervour in prayer but wanted to know why he kept saying, ‘Tokyo, Tokyo, Tokyo’. The little boy replied, “Well, you see, sir, I have just been taking my geography examination in school, and I have been praying to the Lord to make Tokyo the capital of France.”
Like the little boy, many who read the promise of answered prayer in the name of Jesus think they can ask anything, no matter how ridiculous and God will grant their request. Not quite so. The profound promise of answered prayer by the Lord is to assure His followers they have direct access to the Father to request their legitimate needs. These are needs that align with God’s will and purpose. The guarantee of answered prayer does not cover any request that contradicts the person and purpose of Christ.
These are the days Jesus said we could pray to the Father in His name. To ask anything in Jesus’ name implies we are asking on His authority, as though He is making the request. That means we must identify with Him and seek His will rather than insist on our selfish goals. The name of Jesus is mighty; it carries the authority of Christ’s person. In His name, Satan trembles and demons are cast out (Mark 16:17,18; Luke 10:17). People are saved, baptized, justified, and sanctified in His name (1 Corinthians 6:11).
But to use Jesus’ name effectively, you must first submit to His lordship in every area of your life. You have to admit the insufficiency of your own name and approach the Father on the merit of Jesus.
Thought for the day
Praying in the name of Jesus is more than using the name as a tack-on at the end of prayer.
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
Perfect for spiritual growth
Thanks for the sacrifice