Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. – John 14:13

We have a promise from Jesus that whatever we ask in His name He will do. This is not a carte blanche that allows us to “name it and claim it” for our own personal ends. It’s been said often enough not to need repeating here that asking in Jesus’ name means asking according to His character and will, not ours, but Jesus explains the nature of asking in the follow on phrase: that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

The entire purpose of asking in Jesus’ name is that the Father may be glorified, just as Jesus glorified the Father by His actions on earth. This is very much the same sentiment as Jesus taught us the pray in the Lord’s Prayer: Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

We have been given a part to play in God’s unfolding plan for His creation! We, as His dependent creatures are to ask of God, and receive that God’s will would be done, that His Kingdom would come, not just with the second coming of Jesus Christ, but among us, His Church here on earth, but bringing glory to God in the heavenly places! Our place is to ask according to Jesus’ character and God’s will, to ask Him to work in His creation for His glory and our benefit.

As we move into another year one prayer is on my mind:

Lord build your Church and let not the gates of hell prevail against it

This is completely in keeping with God’s will, as He has already promised it (Matthew 16:18) and does not restrict God to our opinions on how His Church should be built. So let the coming year be one in which we take to prayer, not just any prayer, but specific prayer in His name and for His glory. Then we will see Him answer, as He has promised, and He will be glorified in His Church, both now, and for all eternity (Ephesians 3:21)!