John 15:7,8 - Whatever you ask

15:7

We now get another promise on prayer. As we said before, notice the context. Prayer is not a slot machine, put your prayer in, get the answer. The promise is given in a context, it is part of a wider purpose. The purpose and context is our bearing fruit for Christ. Prayer is not about getting God to give us what we want. It is about God working in and through us, it is about us bearing fruit for the kingdom. If we are to be fruitful, then prayer is an essential part of that. No prayer, no fruit. The promise here is given to those who remain in Christ, and in whom Christ’s words remain. Ie it is to people who are full of the word of God, whose lives are motivated by, inspired, dedicated to serving Christ. The more like this we become the more our hearts and minds are in tune with God’s heart. Then we ask and we receive. Notice also that when we are living Christlike lives we will need to ask for things. Jesus frequently asked of His Father, we will do the same.

15:8

Just in case it wasn’t clear enough, Jesus emphasises the primary focus of all this, bearing fruit for the Father’s glory. Fruit bearing shows that we are Christ’s disciples. Any teaching on prayer that just focuses on “if you believe you will receive” is a false teaching. It is false because it puts the focus on getting what we want. It is also false because it will leave you frustrated, you will find that it doesn’t work! Why does prayer “work”? Because of who God is. Faith is not a disembodied entity, it is faith in Christ that “works”. Someone might say, well if God only gives us what is according to His will that isn’t much of a promise. Rubbish. That sort of a question shows the poverty of our thinking. We were created to be in perfect fellowship with the Lord, working and living in harmony with Him. Our rebellion spoilt all that and so life became a tale of frustration and pain. When we come back to the Lord we begin to learn to live again as we should live. Utterly dependent upon Him, and that life is a truly glorious life.