Start your day with quick daily devotions: in the name of Jesus

Reading the Scriptures - John 14: 5-15

"You can ask me anything in my name and I will." -  John 14:14

Maybe you've heard the expression “It's not what you know; is who you know. This describes an unfair situation when you apply for a job, but when we talk about prayer, it's a good thing, even a comfort.

Jesus makes a bold promise to his disciples: "Ask me anything in my name, and I will do it." However, this is not an empty statement. By declaring his unity with the Father, Jesus openly and clearly affirms his divinity. In other words, like the Lord over all things, he can do whatever he wants and will keep everything he promises.

Does it really mean that we can ask Jesus something and he will? The short answer is yes, but that doesn't apply to everything we might want; it is not about pleasing ourselves.

Whatever we ask must be in line with who Jesus is and why he came into the world. Our prayers and requests must be about Jesus' purpose and mission: to show God's love and mercy in our wounded world.

And even if we pray in line with his mission, Jesus may not answer our prayers exactly as we wish or within our preferred time frame, but listen and he will answer anyway.

So let's take Jesus at his word and ask for anything in his name, in harmony with his heart and mission. And as we do, we will participate in his work in this world.

Prayer

Jesus, you promised to hear and answer our prayers. Help us always pray according to your heart and your mission. Amen.