After I graduated High school, I went to a local community college and took basic computer programming. In that class, they taught us to use “If this, then that” statements which basically tells the computer to respond certain ways when the user types in a certain response. IF a user types in THIS, THEN the computer will give THAT response.
In John 14, Jesus give us an “If this, then that” statement. He said, “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14) If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it” (John 14:13-14).
Jesus said, IF “ye shall ask in my name” THEN “that will I do.” What a wonderful promise which teaches us a couple of things about prayer:
1.) Prayer is not trying to take something from a reluctant God. God is always more ready to HEAR, than we are to PRAY. Someone said that Abraham left off asking before God left off answering. Prayer is not breaking in upon the laws of God’s universe, PRAYER IS ITSELF ONE OF THOSE LAWS!!! What a thought! God is more than willing to answer our prayers, when prayed according to His will, so that “the Father may be glorified.”
2.) We have an invitation to pray. Many people view prayer as an intrusion upon a God Who is too busy with running the universe than to listen to us. But that is NOT what the Bible teaches. It is GOD, Who invites US to come to Him in prayer and “ask any thing” in His name!
I just heard on the news last night about a 12 year old girl who stood at the gates of the Governor’s mansion, wanting to have a meeting with the Governor. Of course, she was unable to meet with him, but we have no such obstruction when meeting with God. God invites you to come to Him in prayer. The question is, will you take Him up on His invitation?