Do you ask God for things?

I know growing up I did this all the time.  I sometimes think I was looking at God like some kind of genie.  I could make a wish and he would grant it.  I have heard many people do this to a point they do not believe in God anymore because they have asked and asked and have gotten nothing from Him.

People that believe in Christ quote the following passage from the Bible:

13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.  John 14:13-14 (NIV)

It states God will do whatever you ask in His name.  Ask for anything in His Name and He will do it.  Right?

Lets look at the passage under “The Answered Prayer”

12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.  John 14:12-14 (NIV)

This is what I think:  If I ask my physical father for money for stuff for me, to help someone, or anything, he would always evaluate the situation and then let me know what he would or would not do.  I can say he gave me a lot but he did not give me everything.  I know that if what I asked was 100% inline with what he was thinking it would be a sure thing if he had it.

So, if the prayer is not about me but about God’s work, in alignment with His will and it will glorify Him, I believe He will answer everything you ask.

This is not about saving people from death or stopping something you do not want to happen.  It is not about success or failure.  It is about God’s divine will.

Do you believe in Jesus Christ?  Do you really do His work?  When you ask in His name, do you expect Him to take over or do you want to control Him?  Are you pushing away from God because He does not do what you want?

Do you know we are not worthy to approach the throne of God on our own; but by praying “in Jesus name”, we acknowledge our dependence on His righteousness.

image:  Rita M.