December 28, 2022
Making Big Requests
Truly, truly, 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 the Father. 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. If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. John 14:12-15
Jesus Christ issued a bold statement when He said, “If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it” (John 14:14). Since it is against the nature of our triune God to break a promise (Titus 1:2), we know that the Lord will fulfill that pledge.
So, when we make a big request and nothing happens, the problem isn’t with God. It could be that the timing is wrong or the answer comes in a different form than we expected. But it could also be that our heart isn’t in the right place. When it comes to our petitions, the Lord wants us to ...
Approach him in complete dependence on Christ’s merits. The Savior’s blood paid for our right to enter the Father’s holy presence. Jesus’ sacrifice at Calvary took away our sins and clothed us in righteousness, which allows us to stand unashamed before the throne. We don’t earn favor through works or get prayers answered because we are super spiritual. God responds because His Son sits at His right hand, interceding for us.
Approach him in holiness—that is, separated from all known sin. We cannot expect the Lord to hear us if we “regard wickedness” in our heart (Psalm 66:18). Think about it this way: If God were to answer prayer when we are willfully living in sin, then He would be sanctioning our transgression. Therefore, believers must turn away from their wrongdoing before making big requests.
God is always faithful. He wants to provide you with what you need and then bless you beyond that. But first, He wants His followers’ hearts to be in line with His so that the bold requests have pure motives. Those who live according to God’s will can trust Him for anything they ask in His Son’s name.
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