25 “I have said these things to you with the help of illustrations; however, a time is coming when I will no longer speak indirectly but will talk about the Father in plain language. 26 When that day comes, you will ask in my name. I am not telling you that I will pray to the Father on your behalf, 27 for 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 have come into the world; again, I am leaving the world and returning to the Father.”
6th Week of Easter
Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete. (John 16:24)
To a large extent, the way we petition God depends on our concept of who he is. Advocates of the “prosperity gospel” approach God like a benevolent benefactor—the Great Provider in the sky. They ask for wealth, position, success, and all the other things they think will ensure a happy life. At the other end of the spectrum are those who feel too sinful or unworthy of God’s favor. If they ask for anything at all, it is for forgiveness—usually over and over again.
Both approaches miss the mark. God doesn’t want us to be selfish in our petitions, nor does he want us to avoid asking because we feel undeserving. He does, however, want us to ask. His answer may surprise us, and it may not always be what we expect, but we can be sure that he will give us the best possible response to our requests.
King Solomon is a good example. God told him, “Whatever you ask I shall give you” (1 Kings 3:5). Solomon could have asked for anything—a long life, riches, or the death of his enemies. Instead, Solomon asked for “a listening heart to judge your people and to distinguish between good and evil.” This request was so pleasing to God that he not only gave Solomon what he requested, but riches, glory, and a long life as well (3:13-14).
Jesus told his disciples, “Until now you have not asked anything in my name; ask and you will receive” (John 16:24). Jesus receives our requests as a friend because he wants us to have a joyful, abundant life. When he tells us to ask, he doesn’t impose any limits—so long as our asking is in line with the nature of his love. We can ask for as much wisdom as Solomon had. We can ask for a life as productive as St. Paul’s. We can ask to love as fully as Mary did.
So aim high. Believe that if you keep on knocking on heaven’s door, your prayers will be answered with the wisdom and generosity that come from a loving, gracious God.
“Come, Holy Spirit, and open my eyes to the wonders of Jesus’ love. Help me to believe that he wants to give me everything I need, so that my joy might be complete.” Amen!
Acts 18:23 spent some time there, and afterwards set out and passed systematically through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the talmidim.24 Meanwhile, a Jewish man named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent speaker with a thorough knowledge of the Tanakh. 25 This man had been informed about the Way of the Lord, and with great spiritual fervor he spoke and taught accurately the facts about Yeshua, but he knew only the immersion of Yochanan. 26 He began to speak out boldly in the synagogue; but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the Way of God in fuller detail. 27 When he made plans to cross over into Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote the talmidim there to welcome him. On arrival, he greatly helped those who through grace had come to trust; 28 for he powerfully and conclusively refuted the unbelieving Jews in public, demonstrating by the Tanakh that Yeshua is the Messiah.
Psalms 47:2 (1) Clap your hands, all you peoples!
Shout to God with cries of joy!
3 (2) For Adonai ‘Elyon is awesome,
a great king over all the earth.
8 (7) For God is king of all the earth;
sing praises in a maskil.
9 (8) God rules the nations;
God sits on his holy throne.
10 (9) The leaders of the people gather together,
the people of the God of Avraham;
for the rulers of the earth belong to God,
who is exalted on high.
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