“If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.” John 14:14

If we visit the bank to cash a check, the bank honors it based on the account of the check’s writer. Similarly, we have a spiritual account with God. Through prayer, we are invited to approach God confidently, not on our own merit, but by the power and authority of what Jesus has done for us. John 14:14 states, “If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.”

We often finish our prayers by saying, “In Jesus’ name, amen.” There are those who do not take a second thought as to what that really means. It is as if when we say in Jesus’ name that seals it for us to receive whatever we have petitioned for, but that is not so; we can rest assured that every promise made by our Lord is faithful and true. The problem is not the promise; it is our understanding of the foundation on which the promise is made.

To ask in Jesus’ name means on the basis of what He has done for us on Calvary’s cross. We are asking our mediator, our high priest, to intercede on our behalf to the Father. We must come asking for what is for our good and is aligned with the divine will of God. Only then will our prayers be honored on the basis of Jesus’ merit alone. The accomplishments of His shed blood, righteousness, and sacrifice on the cross are what the Father is well pleased with. “And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:1

But, to be honest, we do not always know what is best for us. God is the one who orders our steps. As born-again believers, we are indwelt with the power of the Holy Spirit. He is the one who guides, comforts, and leads us in the will of God. Even when we do not understand or know what’s best, or which way to turn, He already knows, and is interceding for just what we need! Romans 8:27 states: “And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”

So, the next time you fall on your knees, praying in the name of Jesus, and seeking His will to be done, you can rest assured that He will answer! “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” 1 John 5:14-15.-15.

God’s blessings and grace be with us all.