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by Kevin Pauley
“The truth is, 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. You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, because the work of the Son brings glory to the Father. Yes ask anything in my name, and I will do it!” John 14:12-14
Did you notice that a couple elements are necessary for us to receive answers to our prayers? The first is that the Lord had to return to the Father. Jesus said He had to go so that we could receive the Comforter, the Holy Spirit. The Spirit’s role in prayer is to whisper to us of Jesus.
Everything should ultimately lead us back to the glorification of Christ. The Holy Spirit also teaches us what is right and wrong. He prods our consciences so that things that previously may have never bothered us now do. Sometimes it works the other way. Things that bothered us tremendously before, may become trifling and unimportant under His tutelage. He keeps us focused on the truly important things in life. He also gives us the power to achieve what our consciences and hearts are trying to get us to do. So the Holy Spirit establishes the goal (Christ-likeness), shows us the way, and gives us the power to achieve our objective. That’s what I call a complete package! But in order for us to get it, Christ had to leave us.
The second required element for prayers to be answered is that they be in His name. This is so much more than simply tacking “in Jesus’ name – Amen” on the end of our prayers. Tacking on those words to the end of a self-centered, egotistical prayer will not cause God to answer positively. God is not a machine that automatically responds to a set of stimuli. To pray in Jesus’ name is to place His interests above your own. It means that you take on the projects, missions and goals that Christ had at the center of His ministry while He was here on earth. It means you pray for those and act in their interests. It also means you don’t hope your good works will get you on God’s good side so He’ll answer.
Our works are so futile that He doesn’t love us any more for them or any less for their lack. His only consideration is our degree of faith and submission to His Son, Jesus. That’s painful. We like to think that if we feed the poor, God will love us more. We are like the prodigal son’s brother. He grew resentful when he realized the father loved both sons the same even though one ran away and the other remained. Praying in Jesus’ name means we realize that He’s the only one that counts. His will is the only one that matters. He must increase and we must decrease.
Kevin Pauley is a pastor and writer. He lives in Illinois with his wife, Lynn, their five children and two dogs. His internet address is Berea.
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