Prayer is not like a gumball machine where you punch in your coin – your request – and out pops your gumball, or answer to prayer.

True, the last part of our text does say, “…ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” But not so fast! Read the first part. “If you remain in me and my words remain in you…” Our great freedom and access to the treasures of answered prayer belongs to those who live in a continuing relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, and they foster that relationship with his word, the Scriptures.