Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. – John 16:24
Verse one in Joseph Scriven’s hymn What a Friend We Have in Jesus underscores the fact that believers may be missing out on blessings by not praying. “What a Friend we have in Jesus,/ All our sins and griefs to bear!/ What a privilege to carry/ Everything to God in prayer!/ O what peace we often forfeit,/ O what needless pain we bear/ All because we do not carry/ Everything to God in prayer!” The apostle James also teaches about what happens due to a lack of prayer: “You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions” (James 4:2-3).
When the disciples asked why they could not cast a demon out of a possessed young man, Jesus said, “Because of your little faith” (Matthew 17:20). In Mark 9:29, He replied, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.” In some manuscripts He adds, “and fasting.”
From these three scriptures it can be concluded that, in order to receive the blessing God has for His people and subsequent joy, it is necessary to spend time in prayer and fasting, asking and interceding in faith, and in accordance with His will.
Grow your faith by reading and listening to God’s Word (Romans 10:17). As Jesus prayed for Peter, pray for believers that their faith will not fail and that they would strengthen others (Luke 22:32). Intercede for the faith of God’s people to become like the little mustard seed which grows into a tree (Matthew 13:31-32). Ask the Lord for a greater ability to recognize His voice and leading as you intercede for the United States and its governing officials.
Today’s Verse: John 16:24
Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: James 4:1-10
What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? 2 You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. 4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? 6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
