Dear Family and Friends,

This is from a recent conversation following a meal between our grandson and his mommy:

     Mommy, how long will my tummy stay big?

     Not long Luke, because you’re skinny.

     So I’ll have to eat a lot tomorrow to keep it big?

     Yes, Luke.

     …Mommy, how much will I have to eat so my tummy stays big like yours?

One of the joys in life is listening to kids say the darnedest things. Their words and thoughts are so sweet and innocent. And in case you’re wondering, our daughter gave me permission to use this story.

Speaking of wondering, have you ever wondered how God feels when He hears our wishes and prayers? 

I wonder if our God, who knows everything (1 John 3:20), is quietly shaking His head, smiling at our naiveté, our sweet innocence, and saying to Himself, ‘what they wish and pray for is not what’s best for them.’

I will go out on a limb today and say most, if not all, of us have a few prayers that God has yet to fulfill. I’ll go a bit further and say some of those unanswered ones were likely made in just the past two years.

I say this not because of some mystical way of knowing what you prayed for, but because nothing seems to be going anyone’s way these days.

Disappointment fills the air like a heavy cloud. But rather than sitting in the muck, feeling sorry for ourselves, perhaps this would be a good time to refresh our understanding of prayer. And a good place to start is with a passage that’s often misunderstood.

“Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.” ‭‭John‬ ‭14:13-14‬ ESV

When Jesus said He would do “whatever you ask in my name,” He was not offering us anything and everything we want, in the way we use the term ‘whatever’ today.

Actually the Greek word translated to ‘whatever’ does not mean anything and everything, it means ‘that’ or ‘because’ or ‘since.’

Also, when vv. 13-14 are put into context with the preceding verse, we find that Jesus is guiding us, aligning our desires, our requests, with those of Himself and the Father. 

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.” John 14:12 ESV

By now you may be asking – so how do we align our prayers with God’s will?

Seek first God’s will. Include God in our contemplations and ask Him to reveal His will before praying.

Tough love ourselves and question our motives, perhaps by asking: if God were to fulfill my prayer, will it also honor and glorify Jesus?

This is how we can fight against the me-mode that prevails in many of us today. Making God our number One includes seeking His will for us, not seeking His help for our will.

Second, let’s pray as Jesus prayed, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” Luke 22:42 ESV

Yes, it’s okay to pray for what we want but let’s allow God to be our God for only He knows what’s best for us.

Third, when we pray ‘in Jesus name’ let’s take this declaration seriously. There is this tendency to say – in Jesus name I pray, Amen – without much thought these days. It’s become a rote phrase, mechanical because of habitual repetition.

But let’s stop to think about what this really means.

According to several sources, the best and most exclusive credit card in the world is the American Express Centurion Card, also known as the Amex Black Card. This card is so exclusive, it’s reserved for people who charge at least $100,000 per year (there’s no spending limit) and you can only get this card by invitation.

Now imagine if someone gave you his or her Amex Black Card and told you, ‘Go and buy anything you want. And don’t worry, I will take care of the bill. But as you use it, please don’t forget that my name is on the card.’

When Jesus said, “if you ask me anything in my name, I will do it”  He gave us something more valuable and precious than anything in this world. Jesus gave us His precious name to use.

He gave us the power of the Almighty God, the One who is creating the universe, and gives life with just a breath.

And to top it all off, what Jesus gave us is available to anyone who believes. It’s inclusive, unlike the exclusive Amex Black Card.

But let’s remember that with this short phrase comes a responsibility – to use Jesus’ name with the respect and dignity He deserves. Perhaps this phrase would regain its true meaning if we were to open our prayers, ‘Dear Father, in Jesus’ name I ask…’

Allow me to close by encouraging us with this: unanswered prayers never have nor ever will mean God doesn’t care. He does care, immensely. Whatever is important to you, is important to Him as well. 

Perhaps He’s decided to not answer yet, and instead wants to us to build trust, confidence, and faith in Him, and acceptance that His ways are indeed higher than ours.

In Jesus’ name, I pray for God’s blessings on you and that He answers your prayers.

In love always,