“I can assure you that whoever believes in me will do the same things I have done. And they will do even greater things than I have done, because I am going to the Father. And if you ask for anything in my name, I will do it for you. Then the Father’s glory will be shown through the Son. If you ask me for anything in my name, I will do it.” John 14:12-14 ERV

That’s some pretty strong backing right there! Jesus said that if we ask in his name, he will do it for us. So why is it we don’t see what we ask for? That’s a good question! I believe the answer was penned by James in chapter 4:1-3;

“Do you know where your fights and arguments come from? They come from the selfish desires that make war inside you. You want things, but you don’t get them. So you kill and are jealous of others. But you still cannot get what you want. So you argue and fight. You don’t get what you want because you don’t ask God. Or when you ask, you don’t receive anything, because the reason you ask is wrong. You only want to use it for your own pleasure.”

I like to go back to when Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” You see, when our prayers are always about ourselves, our benefit, it becomes self focused. But when we focus on others as Jesus did, we become givers. Our example is Jesus. He always gave, didn’t he? He served others. He gave his life. He healed others. He raised their dead loved ones. He fed the multitude. Do you not see that Jesus wants us to be givers too?

Father, this is the weekend when we think of the sacrifice you made to cover our sins forever. I just want to stop this morning, Good Friday, and say thank you. Thank you for giving me a Savior, Redeemer, an advocate. I give you my heart and soul for service in your great kingdom. I ask with a clean heart, because that’s what Jesus did, he cleansed me from all unrighteousness. He forever took my guilt, my shame and my blame so that I could freely come to your throne and obtain grace and mercy. Use these hands to touch others in ways that only you can do through me. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen

Sandy G