WE PASS NOW to a very illuminating passage: “Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son” (John 14:13). We saw that the Father was glorified in what Jesus did, and here it is said that the Father is glorified in the requests that Jesus answers. It is one thing to glorify the Father in what you do; it is another thing to glorify God in doing what others request you to do. In what you do there may be the pressure of your own will, but in granting the requests of others you are being pressured by other wills. To do the right things and to grant the right requests is a double achievement.
A young man writes that he is in a mental mix-up for he does a lot of things because people want him to do them. He fulfills their requests and their expectancy and is in an emotional and mental upheaval as a consequence. To respond rightly to the requests and expectations of others is a high test of character. Jesus said that the Father was glorified in what Jesus granted. He would never answer or refuse a request unless the Father too would have answered or refused that request. He and the Father were one in prayer requests.
Yet Jesus seems to leave the matter wide open: “Whatever you ask in my name.” The important portion is “in my name.” In My name would mean in My spirit, in My character. It doesn’t mean just repeating the name of Jesus at the end of the prayer, but putting into the request the very spirit and character of Jesus: “Pray the prayer that I would pray.” If you do that, then God is glorified. Jesus prays for the highest and best things, and only the highest and best things for Himself. When He prays in us and we pray in His spirit and character we too will pray for only the highest and best. “Whatever you ask” is granted if it is the highest and best. He refuses nothing that would be for our highest interest. All prayers in His name are answered.
O my Lord, what wonderful freedom to ask, and what a restriction! That means self-surrender in the asking so we will ask only Thy highest and best. When I surrender and obey I can command. I am grateful for this liberty and this law. In Thy name. Amen.
AFFIRMATION FOR THE DAY: I obey the laws of prayer and find the liberties of power.
