Only a few have direct access to a powerful leader. I, as a citizen of the United States, cannot just walk into the White House anytime I want and speak with the President. Even in Jesus’ day, Jewish followers didn’t have direct access to but connected with God through the intercession of the priests. But Jesus changed all of that. People sometimes lose Jesus’ emphasis in our next passage from John. Let’s read it.
“At that time you won’t need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name. You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy. “I have spoken of these matters in figures of speech, but soon I will stop speaking figuratively and will tell you plainly all about the Father. Then you will ask in my name. I’m not saying I will ask the Father on your behalf, for the Father himself loves you dearly because you love me and believe that I came from God. Yes, I came from the Father into the world, and now I will leave the world and return to the Father.” (John 16:23–28, NLT)
While there is a leading promise concerning answered prayer, Jesus was emphasizing that His followers have direct access to God the Father. Something that hasn’t happened since the fall of mankind in the Garden of Eden. In this, Jesus is also making it clear that He is simply interceding for us to the Father, but His name opens the way for direct access.
Jesus isn’t providing a formula for answered prayers as much as He is laying out the relationship by which those prayers are heard. We are invited and welcomed to enter His courts and speak with God the Father. No formulas, no time constraints, no intercessors, no specific offerings. Why? Because God loves you and recognizes your love of Christ. We don’t make our own way because Jesus is the way.
I may not be able to walk into the White House’s Oval Office to have a sit down with President, but I can enter into God’s throne room at any time through the name of Jesus. In those moments, I can express my cares, concerns, and worries; I can offer praise and worship, I can ask questions, and ask for help. In those moments, I can pray for myself and for others, knowing that God the Father is listening.
The key is love. God’s love for us and our love for Christ. I can’t answer why some prayers are answered right away, and others seem to never be answered. I do know that our own expectations get in the way; we feel that our prayer is unanswered when God simply answered it in another way. I have prayed for needs that weren’t directly met, yet they were. Such as shoes and vehicles that lasted longer than they should have. Oil that did not run out until a new bottle was received. Peace in my heart instead of calming the storm around me. I have learned to trust God with the answer; He is a Good Father. I may not understand it, but that is not the point. Pray, trust God, love Jesus, and love others. God is longing to hear from you.
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Good information I am impressed and impacted for the great word of God