PRAYER AND PROMISES

JOHN 14:12–14

“And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son”

(John 14:13).

Jesus gives two significant lessons in this passage. One, that those who believe in Him will do even greater works than He; and two, that if we ask anything in His name. He will do it.

Let us begin with verse 12: the works of believers will be greater than Christ’s. Much controversy has surrounded this passage. Some believe it means that all believers will have the power to perform miracles. This, however, is not true to the context. Jesus is anticipating the coming of the Spirit, who would empower His church as never before. While the apostles would certainly be equipped to do miracles as a testimony to their authority, the “greater” aspect of their work would be the “ingrafting of the Gentiles.” It would be through them (and the church) that the kingdom of Christ would go to all nations. Greater territory would be covered and greater spiritual blessings would result from the coming of the Spirit. This could not be done before His ascension because the Spirit had not come to empower the church. Not until Pentecost would this great event occur, at which time the disciples’ unprecedented work of preaching the Gospel to those far and near would commence.

Jesus’ statement in verse 13 has also created much misunderstanding. Many people have had their faith greatly shaken because they have understood this verse to mean that they can have anything they want as long as they ask “in Christ’s name.” But on closer examination, this is not the promise given.

First of all, “whatever” refers to the “great” and “greater works” in verse 12. Accordingly, the relation between works and prayer is stressed. Prayer is essential to the believer’s life. But not just any prayer, it must be prayer in “Christ’s name.” This means that it proceeds from faith and in accordance with God’s will. Hendriksen writes, “A prayer in Christ’s name is a prayer that is in harmony with whatever Christ has revealed concerning Himself.” Notice that we must pray according to God’s will. If we do not, the answer to our prayer might be “no.” We can be assured that if we ask anything that identifies with the purpose of Christ, then our prayer will be answered (1 John 5:14).

CORAM DEO

Psalm 103–104

Romans 14

WEEKEND

Psalm 105–108

Romans 15

We will learn more about prayer in the next four studies. For today, however, think about what your expectations are in prayer. Write down any questions you have about prayer, i.e. “If God is sovereign, why pray?” Keep these in mind as you read all the verses connected with today’s studies and the following.

For further study: Matt. 26:36–46 • James 5:13–18 • 1 John 5:14–17

WEEKEND