Lenten Daily Devotional 2021
Wednesday, March 24, 2021
Day 36: In His Will
"Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete." John 16:24 (NIV)
“We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen”
Many if not most of our prayers end with these words. So, if Jesus’ promise in John 16:24 is true, why aren’t our prayers all answered with a “yes” rather than a frequent “no” or a “wait”?
Maybe it’s because we don’t fully understand what “in My name” really means.
“The Message,” a popular paraphrase, puts John 16:23-24 in everyday terms: “This is what I want you to do: Ask the Father for whatever is in keeping with the things I’ve revealed to you. Ask in My name, according to My will, and He’ll most certainly give it to you. Your joy will be a river overflowing its banks!”
We know from His Word that God’s will and ways are always good and perfect – and ours are not. Thus, His answers to our prayers are always based on His will.
Sometimes that’s hard for us to understand, especially when our prayers are for something that we would think He would want: salvation for an unbelieving family member or friend, or protection for someone in harm’s way, or physical healing for a loved one.
God knows what we want; more important, He knows what we need. That’s why His answers sometimes surprise and please us, while other times they disappoint and confuse us. But they’re always based on His good and perfect will.
What prayers do you want God to answer in your life right now? Ask for them in His name and according to His will. Trust that His answers – whatever they are – are part of His good and perfect plan. And get ready for your joy to overflow its banks.
--Mark Vasché
Many if not most of our prayers end with these words. So, if Jesus’ promise in John 16:24 is true, why aren’t our prayers all answered with a “yes” rather than a frequent “no” or a “wait”?
Maybe it’s because we don’t fully understand what “in My name” really means.
“The Message,” a popular paraphrase, puts John 16:23-24 in everyday terms: “This is what I want you to do: Ask the Father for whatever is in keeping with the things I’ve revealed to you. Ask in My name, according to My will, and He’ll most certainly give it to you. Your joy will be a river overflowing its banks!”
We know from His Word that God’s will and ways are always good and perfect – and ours are not. Thus, His answers to our prayers are always based on His will.
Sometimes that’s hard for us to understand, especially when our prayers are for something that we would think He would want: salvation for an unbelieving family member or friend, or protection for someone in harm’s way, or physical healing for a loved one.
God knows what we want; more important, He knows what we need. That’s why His answers sometimes surprise and please us, while other times they disappoint and confuse us. But they’re always based on His good and perfect will.
What prayers do you want God to answer in your life right now? Ask for them in His name and according to His will. Trust that His answers – whatever they are – are part of His good and perfect plan. And get ready for your joy to overflow its banks.
--Mark Vasché
Prayer Focus: Prayer for Standiford Elementary School and guidance on how we can continue to serve them during the pandemic.
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