Did Jesus really say to ask for whatever we wish and it will be given to us?!

I love studying the scriptures about prayer and what God thinks of and teaches us about this vital subject of our walk with Him.

There is much I can say but one of my favourite verses in the Bible and also one of the most challenging ones is John 15:7 where Jesus says "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given to you".

When you read it at a glance, it is quite amazing isn't it! That God would give us whatever we wish? Did Jesus really say that? Yes Jesus did say that! 

But, we have to understand the context and conditions attached to this great promise!

Jesus is talking about living a life of 'remaining' or 'abiding' in Him and His words. 'Remaining' in Him means, we are vitally connected to Jesus for EVERYTHING in our lives, depending on Him SOLELY and not our own abilities, talents, money, jobs, families etc. It means going to Him first and foremost for everything, it means acknowledging that everything we have is from Him and comes from Him and that our lives actually reflect this belief not just our mouths. 

'His words remaining in us' means that they actually live in our hearts and are consequently reflected in our lifestyle. It means we value His words above all things. It means we take time to read and meditate on His word, in order to understand and apply it.  It means we diligently obey what we know and understand. Total and full surrender to His will as revealed in His word to us.

Then, our prayers will be answered! 

I believe that as we walk in such close communion and fellowship with Jesus and His word, His will will become so intrinsically our will, our desires, our wants and needs. We will be in such close communion and fellowship with Him that His will becomes our heart's cry and prayer. His will will become what we are earnestly praying for and when we do that, He will answer our prayers. 

What about unanswered prayers you may ask.  I know the realities of life as a Christian and have seen many prayers go unanswered. There are a few reasons we don't see answers to our prayers which the Bible gives us reasons for. And some may always remain a mystery until we get to the other side of eternity. However, my challenge as someone that loves to study prayer and pray for others is that my relationship with God remains so close that I value Him and His word above all things because of what Jesus says here. I want my prayers to be answered and I don't want anything in my life to hinder them. I want to pray and intercede for others with that confidence of knowing my life is right before Him and have fully obeyed Him with all that He has asked me to do. This is my life long pursuit and I'm on a journey to be at that place. 

In the meantime, I've found that as I've prioritised 'remaining' in Him and His words 'remaining' in me, that my prayer list has actually become shorter :) He gives me good things I've not asked for and takes care of everything that concerns me.