WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU PRAY

Getting your prayers answered:

Our prayers can be answered. This assurance transforms the Christian life from an ordinary low level to higher ground of special partnership with God. The key is this:

We must get in line with God’s great purposes. Aim your prayers and desires in the direction of what God desires to do for his own honor and glory.

Putting together two select texts of Scripture has been of immense help and encouragement to me. Both texts are in John. Notice the italicized words.

And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. (14:13-14)
If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father’s glory that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. (15:7-8)

Proper prayer is concerned with God’s glory. In the first text, Jesus binds his name and power to answering prayer in order to bring honor to the Father. Jesus wants to do something far beyond simply giving us what we might want. He brings to the Father special honor by executing what we have requested in prayer. Jesus loves both us and his Father. Everything fits when our prayers are carefully thought out and aimed at God’s glory.

The text John 15:7-8 again swings wide the door of promise to us as we pray. Stay close to me and under direction of my teaching, says Jesus, and the Father will be glorified as your prayers are granted and you accomplish things for God through prayer.

God wants you to enter this new partnership with our Savior the Lord Jesus Christ.