Six Astonishing Invitations

Six times in John 14-16 Jesus invites us to ask.
 
1. "I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father" (14:13).

2. "You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it" (14:14).

3. "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you" (15:7).

4. "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit-fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name" (15:16).

5. "Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete" (16:24).

6. "In that day you will ask in my name" (16:26).

His invitation to pray and His promises to answer could not be more clear or more wonderful.

In Jesus' last discourse to His disciples, again and again He held out His kingly golden scepter and said, as it were, "What is your request? It shall be granted unto you, even unto the whole of My kingdom!"

The author of The Kneeling Christian states that when we get to heaven the most amazing feature of our lives as we look back upon them will be our prayerlessness. We will be astonished that we spent so little time asking.

Consider how you would respond if you had never read the verses above before. These promises are almost incredible. From the lips of anyone but Jesus they would be unbelievable. But it is the Lord of heaven and earth who speaks, and it is His farewell message.

Dear Lord, give me a spirit of intercession and lead me to pray what the Spirit desires me to ask.

"I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name" (John 16:23).