Monday Morning Manna
Monday, June 14
Monday Morning Manna
Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. John 16:24
“Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” Did you read that correctly?
There is absolutely no questioning the fact that prayer is powerful and that God does answer the earnest prayer of a man who has been justified in His sight. Sounds like an ironclad guarantee to me. Our speech is often filled with wishy-washy words like maybe and sometimes and might. But the Lord speaks with authority and power, and when we use the authority and power in the name of Jesus great things can happen.
The beginning of this verse says “Until now…” John 16:24. In other translations it reads “So far” (GW), says the Lord, or “Hitherto” (ASV). Fact is, “You haven’t done this before” (NLT).
What haven’t we done?
“…you have not asked for anything in my name.” John 16:24. And please do not read this wrong, it means so much more than just adding “in Jesus’ name” at the end of our prayers. He means in His name and all that it represents.
When we pray this way it means in His authority and under His will. We pray in Jesus’ name because He tells us to do it. So, when we pray in Jesus’ name, we pray with His authority. Praying in Jesus’ name doesn’t guarantee God would answer our prayer. Only prayers that are according to His will that God will hear: “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of Him.” (1 John 5:14-15). Praying in Jesus’ name is also praying for things that will honor and glorify God: “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” (John 14:3).
Today, God is simply calling us to go deeper. To seek after the heart of His Son and listen to what He wants for us (not from us).
Prayer for today: Lord Jesus, You have shown us the path to joy. Now help us walk in it, keeping our eyes on You. Give us the courage to ask according to Your will and in Your name. Amen.