If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it

John 14:14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it

Well, that scripture is enough to make us want to shout isn't it? But then ole' slew-foot starts reminding us about all the prayers that he believes God hasn't answered....and our faith plummets through the floor. But, we didn't pay attention to the rest of the story did we?

John 14:13- And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. 5 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

Uh oh...there seems to be some guidelines that we quickly overlooked:

1. That the Father may be glorified in the Son.
2. If you love me, keep my commandments.
3. Most importantly of all...Ask in Jesus' name.

1Jn 3:21-22 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. (22) And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

However, if what we are asking for does not glorify the Father, and we aren't keeping our Lord's commandments, nor doing those things that are pleasing in his sight...then we certainly cannot come confidently or boldly before the throne of God in the name of Jesus...in faith & prayer, believing that He will hear our petitions.

4. Ask in Faith, nothing wavering: Jas 1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

5. Ask in prayer, believing: Mat 21:22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. Remember "wishes, whining, mumbling and grumbling" ain't Prayers.

Some other guidelines for asking in prayer are as follows:

6. Abide in Christ: John 15:7-8 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. (8) Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

7. Ask according to God's will: 1Jn 5:14-15 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

8. Do not ask amiss: Jas 4:2-3 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. (3) Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

9. Ask for Wisdom: Jas 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

If our prayers are not being answered, we first need to sincerely search our own hearts. Are we pleasing to God and following His commandments?

If we have searched our hearts and believe we are doing God's will then we need to sincerely ask God to search and try our hearts and reveal anything displeasing to Him.

Psa 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: (24) And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

If God does not reveal anything wrong in us, then we can know that God is working His will in us by saying "no" or "wait a while".

Our Heavenly Father loves us and wants only our good. He hears and answers all of His children's prayers.

Sometimes He says "Yes" because it will bless us according to His good pleasure!

Sometimes He says "No" because it is not His Will for us, because it will bring harm to us, or because it will teach us to rely on Him. 2Co 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.

Sometimes He says "wait a while" because it teaches us patience and He wants us to trust Him.
Pro 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Jas 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; (3) Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. (4) But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.