The Power of Prayer: Ask and Receive With Right Motives
If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it. ~ Jn 14:14
Today, I’m reflecting on the Gospel of John chapter 14 verses six through 14.
I encourage you to find it and read it because a lot is said in a few words.
I found many things relate to my life; especially, the question by Philip. I felt like Philip represents my logical mind.
The crux is in verse 14 where Jesus says: “Whatever you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.“
I wrestle with it. I wrestle with asking Jesus for anything. I also admire people that can ask and receive. I say I could ask, but I’m not very good at receiving. Many times, I’m probably asking the wrong way.
I identify with Phillip when earlier in the Gospel, Jesus is stating he is the way, the truth, and the life. Then, Philip speaks up and says, “Lord, I think all you have to do is just show. Show us the Father since, since you were saying you are the Father. Show us the Father. That’s all we ask of you.”
Jesus’ reply is a classic: “Are you silly? Dumb? Like, are you not paying attention? I’ve been living with you for this long and you still don’t know who I am? You still don’t know what’s with me and within me.”
I’ve done the same thing.
- Show me a sign, Lord, where should I go next?
- Show me a sign of what the decision should be, show me the next step.
The reply that comes back to me usually is: “Why is it that you need to know every single step going forward rather than trust that you know what is the next step and just go take the next step one step at a time?“
My problem is I continue to ignore it and ask for all these signs and for a miracle to happen. And, I don’t even know if I’m asking the right way.
The message I receive from the gospel is that the only way prayer works to ask in Jesus’ name is to be at the level of spiritual connection where I am one with my soul, I am one with God, and I am one with the energy that’s everywhere. Then, I can make my request because the request that comes out of my mouth when I’m aligned with God is very different from the request that comes from my head.
To me, there’s a lot this Gospel tries to point to, but I think we get lost in the words that get used. We get lost in studying semantics. I think Jesus is simply saying, “Hey, if you get to the point where you can see we are all one with the Father, where you can see that you will be provided for, then you ask me for help to the next level, and I will do so. Otherwise, it’s not going to work because you’re going to be asking for the wrong thing, in the wrong way, and you won’t be present to receive it. Hence, why would I bother if you’re not ready to listen, to follow, to serve, to receive?”
That’s what I got. That is what I’m working through at this very moment.
Thank you for reading.
In peace,
~Juan
