Assurance of Answered Prayers
Rev. Tetteh-Annor Larbi | August 13 2024 | John 15:16
KEY VERSE:
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. John 15:16 (NIV)
MESSAGE:
What would be your attitude towards prayer if you knew that anything you asked for in prayer you would receive? You would pray often, I guess. Well, Jesus offers us a profound assurance that our prayers will be answered when we ask in His name. This promise is not just a blanket guarantee for any request, but rather it is intricately tied to our relationship with Him and our commitment to His purposes. Jesus reminds us that He has chosen and appointed us to bear lasting fruit, which means our lives are meant to reflect His love, grace, and truth. When our prayers align with this divine mission—seeking to bear fruit that glorifies God and advances His kingdom—we can be confident that God will respond to our requests.
This assurance of answered prayer is deeply connected to the idea of abiding in Christ and being aligned with His will. When we remain in Jesus and His words remain in us, our desires become shaped by His heart and His purposes. Our prayers, then, are not merely about our own needs or desires, but about fulfilling the mission He has given us. As we seek to bear fruit that lasts, our prayers naturally align with God’s will, and He takes delight in answering them because they advance His work within and through us. Jesus' promise that "whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you" is a powerful reminder that our prayers have divine backing when they are rooted in His name and purpose. It invites us to pray boldly, with faith that God will provide what is necessary to fulfil the calling He has placed on our lives. This assurance encourages us to approach God with confidence, knowing that He is eager to support us in our mission to bear fruit for His kingdom.
FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:
Let us Take hold of this promise, praying with the conviction that as we seek to honour Jesus and advance His work, our prayers will be answered in ways that bring glory to God and lasting impact on the world.
PRAYER:
Dear Heavenly Father, grant me a heart like Yours. Align my will with Yours so that my prayers reflect Your desires. May I glorify You in all that I do. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.
SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!
DAILY word study: IN MY NAME
The phrase "in my name" comes from the Greek "ἐν τῷ ὀνόματί μου" (en tō onomati mou). This phrase carries the connotation of acting with the authority and character of the one named—in this case, Jesus. It implies acting in accordance with His will, purposes, and nature.
Praying in Jesus' name means invoking His authority, ensuring that the disciples' prayers align with His mission and will. It signifies a deep alignment with Jesus' heart and purposes. This kind of prayer reflects His character and mission. The assurance of answered prayer is rooted in the intimate relationship between the disciples and Jesus, making their prayers a natural extension of their abiding connection with Him.
Reflections:
Praying in His name means seeking what He seeks, desiring what He desires, and trusting that our requests, made in alignment with His will, will be answered.
How can you ensure that your prayers align with Jesus' will and character, and how does this assurance of answered prayers strengthen your faith and relationship with Him?
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