“Whatever Things You Ask”
Jesus says, “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them” (Mark 11:24). So, does this verse mean that God will give people whatever they ask for? The apostle Luke writes the same verse that is mentioned in Mark 11:24 but adds more light on what exactly is God promising to give the believers. Let’s read this passage:
“So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” (Luke 9:9-13).
Spiritual Blessings
Luke tells us that God promises His children the ultimate gift of the Holy Spirit. In reality, spiritual blessings are the true blessings that God is eager to bestow on people because they enable them to obtain eternal life. In that sense, they far exceed any earthly blessing in worth. These gifts include joy, wisdom, victory, power, grace, faith, etc. And they are guaranteed to all that seek them. “Behold, I give unto you power … over all the power of the enemy” (Luke 10:19).
God promises spiritual blessings because He recognizes that humans can’t overcome sin by their own strength (John 15:4-6). For without His grace, no one can keep His commandments (Exodus 20:2-17). What believers cannot do in their own power can certainly be accomplished when human yield to God’s power (2 Corinthians 2:14). Through Christ, the faithful can do all things (Philippians 4:13).
And the most amazing truth is that God does “exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us” (Ephesians 3:20). There are resources of spiritual strength that are accessible to all and goes beyond comprehension. And these resources are received especially at the time of deepest need (Romans 5:20), when the believers hold unto God faith (1 John 5:4). Sadly, few take advantage of these privileges.
Ask According to His Will
As for all other requests, the believers are also invited to request and be certain that God will not withhold any good thing from them as long as they walk in His path (Psalm 84:11). Let all pray and believe that they will receive what they pray for if it is according to God’s will and for their best interest (1 John 5:15). The Christian is invited to discover God’s will and to mold his requests in harmony with the divine will, in the sure understanding that God-approved prayers will receive the best possible answer.
The knowledge that the Heavenly Father is a prayer-hearing God will confirm to the believer that He will give every right request that is offered Him. The Lord invites His children saying, “Until now have you asked nothing in my name: ask, and you shall receive, that your joy may be full” (John 16:24). As the believers cooperate with God in the work of speeding of the gospel, they can be affirmed that the unlimited resources of Omnipotence are at their disposal. God would meet their every need and answer their prayers that are raised in the name of Jesus.
In His service,
BibleAsk Team