03.23. "Whatsoever Ye Shall Ask In My Name"

Whatsoever Ye Shall Ask In My Name The promise to prayer reaches its climax in the Upper Room on that memorable night of revelation and tragedy. He declared Himself to be the basis of prayer. They were to pray m a new way. They were to pray in His name, and they would heard for His sake. As there are seven words on the cross, so there are seven words concerning prayer in the fellowship of the Upper Room. They gather up and complete the whole revelation of the Scriptures, and enlarge and certify the promises of God. It would seem to be sacrilege not to quote them in full, for no other words can compare with them.

"And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it" (John 14:13-14).

"If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you" (John 15:7).

"Ye did not choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you that ye should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should abide: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you" (John 15:16).

"And ye therefore now have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no one taketh away from you. And in that day ye shall ask me no question [R. V., margin]. Verily, verily, I say unto you, if ye shall ask any thing of the Father, he will give it you in my name. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be fulfilled... In that day ye shall ask in my name" (John 16:22-26).

What extraordinary promises these are that are pledged to prayer in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! They abound in universal and unconditional terms. All things, whatsoever ye ask! Prayer reaches its highest level when offered in the Name which is above every name, for it lifts the petitioner into unity and identity with himself.