JOHN 16:23-28 GIVING LIFE TO OUR PRAYERS

23 “In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

25 “Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father. 26 In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. 27 No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. 28 I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.”

Since the Resurrection of Jesus, his disciples have not had to ask him questions about who he is and what he is going to do in this world. By dying and being raised from the dead Jesus has been revealed as the true Messiah who has come into the world in order to restore our relationship with the Father by defeating sin, death and the devil. As part of human history, that truth is available to all who will receive it (those who listen to the Spirit).

With the Resurrection our relationship with Jesus also changed. Our questions asked in order to receive information are no longer necessary. Now they are replaced by petitions for what we need. At the same time, Jesus is not a clearing house for the sorting and passing on of our petitions. Rather, Jesus and the Father both receive our petitions and Jesus intercedes on behalf of those who believe in him.

Through the Resurrection we can know Jesus’ name. Someone’s name in Scripture is more than a label of address; it is the very essence of the person. To know the name of Jesus is saying that we are able to petition God according to the will of the Son. Such petitions will always be answered because they are based on divinely informed knowledge.

Truly inspired praying is done when our focus is on the One who will answer our prayers, rather than the petition itself.

Risen Christ, you are the answer to all my prayers. When I pray guide me through your Spirit to seek your perfect will even as I make my petitions from the depths of my heart. You are God and your will is perfect. Make my faith strong enough to live always in the confidence of who you are. Amen.