Letters to the Family of God

by Joe Franzone | November 15, 2023 | Pastor's Blog

Family of God - Website (600 × 282 px)
Hotel Lobby

November 15, 2023

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do, and greater works than these will he do because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.

John 14:12-14

 

God will either give us what we ask or give us what we would have asked if we knew everything He knows.

Tim Keller

 

Jesus died praying.

See Luke 23:46

Dear friends,

 

God has pledged Himself to our care. Prayer, in Christ's name, is how we tell Him what we need. This morning, I read Psalm 104:28. It said, When You open Your hand, they are filled with good things. I hope I never grow tired of relying on that promise.

 

If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.

A Wide Promise

 

What a wide promise Jesus gives to His own. The prayer covers everything by Jesus’s use of the word anything. Ask me anything in my name; I will do it. Jesus repeats Himself as if to add greater emphasis.

 

The context is ministry. The disciples have been given some wonderful assurances by Jesus for ministry. The promise of anything asked would cover pretty much the totality of life, even rest from our labor! I could make a long list of what is needed in ministry. The principle of this wide promise is that everything we rightly need is anything Jesus will wisely give. Therefore, we pray with full assurance.

 

If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.

A Wise Promise

 

It is wise of Christ because He does not limit the prayer other than asking in His name. Think of it like this: Is there anyone kinder, more loving, more generous, more truthful, timely, prudent, humble, caring, understanding, forgiving, and gracious than Jesus? Of course not, then ask away, dear child of God. To be in awe and adoration of such a wise promise by Jesus gives way to boldness and depth before God in our petitions. The wideness is liberating.

 

If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.

An Instructive Prayer

 

It is an instructive prayer for this reason. The answer will give way to our highest privilege in life- to glorify God. God gets the glory when we ask for good things in Jesus' name. So, we ask for things that Jesus would approve of. We ask for things that have His marks on, His hand on. In the yes's, no’s, and not just yet of God, we enter into the school of prayer.

 

As a child, my father was an executive in the hotel industry for many years. His name held a measure of sway in that world. When someone said Mr. Franzone said to do X, X would be done. I still remember when my father would take me to work as a child. He typically said this when we arrived. Joe, you can do what you like, but please remember that you are Mr. Franzone's child.

 

It is much the same with prayers in Christ's name. Ask what you will, but please remember you are God's child. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.

 

 

God bless and help you. You are in my day and night prayers.

Pastor Joe