“God’s perfect love is the safest of safe places, available for you to seek comfort, forgiveness, wisdom and yes…the opportunity to ask.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – September 12, 2022
You did not choose Me [Jesus], but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. John 15:16, NKJV
What does it mean to ask in Jesus’ name? As Jesus stated, you are humbled by the reality of Christ choosing and appointing you to bear fruit that remains. As you abide in Him, anything you ask of Him is asking in His name. The beauty of you remaining in Jesus is the Holy Spirit’s production of fruit that remains…for Jesus. You are a beloved child of God, which conveys a heart of walking so close with your heavenly Father that you would dare not assume or ask of Him anything that would threaten your sweet, abiding relationship…forged by love and trust.
Asking requires humility accompanied by faith, which escorts you into the presence of your loving heavenly Father. His perfect love is the safest of safe places, available for you to seek comfort, forgiveness, wisdom and yes…the opportunity to ask. Love bids you to ask your Father in Jesus’ name. This idea is similar to a friend offering her name to you as a reference to someone you have never met or would like to connect to and have a conversation with. You are able to gain access because of the credibility of your friend’s name, recognized by the one you would like to approach… to perhaps receive a referral to a helpful resource. In the same way, Jesus’ name always gives you access into the presence of your heavenly Father…to ask.
“And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it” (John 14:13-14).
Charles Spurgeon, with unequaled eloquence, paints a portrait of asking in Jesus’ name, “There is no other place where the heart should be so free as before the mercy-seat. There, thou mayest talk out thy very soul, for that is the best prayer that thou canst present. Ask not for what some tell thee that thou shouldst ask, but for that which thou feelest the need of, — that which the Holy Ghost has made thee to hunger and to thirst for; ask thou for that…No rightminded man would use another person’s name improperly; and if you are asking of God something for yourself merely with a selfish motive, you must not defile that blessed name of his by linking it with such a prayer as that. But, using his name aright, you have great liberty, and a high privilege, in being permitted to come and pray, not only for the sake of Jesus, but also in the name of Jesus.”
Be bold to ask in Jesus’ name! Sit quietly and ask the Holy Spirit to harvest out of your heart the fruit of what the Lord wants you to ask of Him. The desires that bubble up from within may not seem practical or feasible, but in faith make your request known to God. His desires become your desires as you abide in Christ. And this is good—and right. No need to feel guilty about your Father in heaven heaping good gifts on you on earth. Instead, celebrate and praise Him for His priceless gifts. Out of gratitude for His generous blessings, pray for ways to abundantly bless another. Yes, replace perfunctory prayers with felt need, passionate prayers…in Jesus’ name!
“You do not have because you have chosen not to ask. And when you do ask, you still do not get what you want because your motives are all wrong—because you continually focus on self-indulgence” …“If you don’t have all the wisdom needed for this journey, then all you have to do is ask God for it; and God will grant all that you need. He gives lavishly and never scolds you for asking” (James 2:2-3,1:5, VOICE).
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me abide in your love so when I ask in prayer my requests will reflect your heart of love, through Christ’s love and in Jesus’ name, amen.
Application
What bold request is God’s desire for me that I need to ask, trust and thank Him?
Related Reading
1 Kings 3:9-10; Proverbs 2:3-6; Matthew 7:7, 21:22; Luke 11:13
Worship Resource
Charity Gayle feat. Steven Musso: I Speak Jesus
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