And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
Whatsoever is asked in His name Christ Himself will do, and what is asked of the Father in His name is answered by Him, in order that the Father may be glorified in the Son. The promise means what it says and is certain and unchangeable, with the honor of the throne staked upon it, and it belongs to all through the end of time who meet its conditions and prove it by complying with its terms. To ask in His name is to come to God through the worth of His sacrifice and imputed righteousness, presenting His merit as plea and passport, in vital union with Him by abiding in faith and dependence. It is conditional on loving obedience that keeps His commandments and words, on asking according to His will and for His glory, in humble, earnest, believing prayer with surrendered will and unity and mutual love. As Friend and Advocate at the Father's right hand He presents the petitions and mingles contrite prayer with the fragrance of His own perfections, so that nothing asked for His sake is refused, and through the promised Comforter believers do His works and greater works in carrying forward His mission.
Context and Wording
The verse belongs to the farewell teaching of John 13 through 17, especially John 14 through 16, with John 14:13 included among the verses that set out God's will to be believed and lived. It was spoken in the upper chamber before leading out toward the Mount of Olives, beginning with comfort against a troubled heart. It belongs to Christ's solemn instruction to His disciples before His crucifixion and ascension, about His going away to prepare mansions and coming again to receive His people to Himself where He is, calling hearers to expect the soon coming of Christ, and it shows the love of God which passes knowledge and what God desires to do for the human race.
It was spoken when Christ was about to close His earthly work and return to the Father, after telling His disciples He was about to leave them, as part of the assurance given before leaving them and before His ascension. A cruel death was before Him and He knew the bitter cup He must drink and its result for them and for Himself, yet forgetting Himself and His suffering He sought to comfort His sorrowing disciples who were troubled at losing their beloved Master. He had labored three years to prepare them for the trials soon to open before them, and after Judas had left the upper chamber He was left alone with the eleven before speaking of His approaching separation. The promise was given to comfort and console, to prepare them for coming trials, to strengthen them to endure without failing when faith and courage would be severely tried, knowing the trials that would come to His church through unconverted believers, and to assure them by faith accepting and practicing His teachings they could continue His work rather than give way to mourning and disappointment, and that He would not leave them comfortless or forsake them.
It holds one of the richest promises in the Bible, belonging to the deep weighty lessons of John 13 through 17 that are to be read, dwelt upon with feeling, studied for the meaning of every word, and even committed to memory. It is part of God's plainly outlined and plainly expressed will in John 6 and John 13 through 17, and among the duties specified by Christ that must be carefully studied and earnestly practiced rather than neglected. So treasured, the mind becomes a storehouse of truth like a watered garden that refreshes others, giving Thus saith the Lord and It is written to speak a word in season to the oppressed, sorrowful, afflicted, and perishing. That instruction is meant to cure dissension, and when lived out in practical life and before fellow ministers as genuine missionary work it produces unity with one another and with Christ, love, and strength to withstand Satan's assaults and to stand the test in the shaking time, while having such great light yet showing little real genuine piety is cause for pain, and practicing it honors God and Jesus Christ whom He sent and bears to the world the divine credential that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son so that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
It is one of the promises in the fourteenth chapter of John to be opened and read when in trouble and difficulty and hardly knowing what to do, and to be studied during the week. It is to be read at family worship so children can comprehend its wonderful truth, for it is so simple that even children may understand its simple comfort, and it is to be believed as the Word of God, to be laid hold of and presented to the family. So received it brings peace and hope and rejoicing even when discouraged and disheartened, proving that God does just as He said He would for needy applicants who consecrate themselves to Him and present their case to Him, and that He will not leave them comfortless. It calls fathers, mothers, and children to glorify God in every way possible, so that the great peace of God comes into their minds and the children speak of the kindness and love of Jesus, and as long as time shall last it brings to the true believer courage to stand fast in the most trying hour, with strength and assurance, unity, love, and strength to withstand assaults.
The surrounding teaching joins asking in His name to loving Him and keeping His commandments and His words as an expression of love, with those who keep them abiding in His love and Christ manifesting Himself to them. It belongs to those who believe on Him, who will do the works He did and greater works because He goes to the Father, and it is joined to receiving another Comforter, the Spirit of truth, who dwells with believers and will be in them forever, so they are not left comfortless because Christ comes to them. Faith must take hold of this promise as a great advantage offered to believers for unity and love and Christian fellowship among His followers, and it is part of the obedience expected of God's sons and daughters.
The chapter teaches that God responds when people draw near to Him, coming near to them, and every step toward Jesus is met by His advance toward them, with His love directed to all the world. Glorifying the Father was the great object of Christ's mission kept ever before Him, and it was His joy that all His humiliation and suffering would glorify the Father's name. Christ is the brightness of the Father's glory, the manifestation of His love, the channel by which His mercy comes and by which prayers rise to the Father.
Promise and Its Purpose
What is asked in His name Christ Himself will do, and requests made to the Father in His name are answered by Him, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. The promise stands joined to belief in Him and His works and to His going to the Father, with believers doing Christ's works in unity with the Father. To all who ask in faith grace and power are imparted in rich measure.
The verse means what it says to each person, and is to be received by faith, believed and acted upon with childlike simplicity, genuine faith and full assurance when coming to the throne of grace. The promise is unconditional, absolute, certain and unchangeable, yea and Amen in Christ, with the honor of the throne staked on it and no variableness or shadow of turning in God, who honors His word and stands behind every promise He has made. Those who believe will not be disappointed, for God gives what needy souls ask in faith on the trustworthy word of Christ. Asking in that name presents His name as endorsement for the request, and asking in faith in that name guarantees the prayer will be heard and answered, which is meant to inspire absolute certainty. This calls for earnest pleading as if life depended on the gift, with an earnestness that will not be denied, first talking with God before talking to others, especially when seeking the deep moving of the Holy Spirit upon hearts, and the measure of holy influence received is proportionate to desire to receive, faith to grasp, and capacity to enjoy the blessing and impart it to others. Coming to the Father through Christ, whom the Father already loves and hears without needing persuasion, believers may trust their prayers will be answered and receive grace as they seek to please Him, confessing unworthiness and sin.
The promise belongs to all who meet Christ's conditions through the end of time, presenting petitions in Jesus' name, remaining connected to Him in prayer, and humbly obeying His requirements, including loving obedience to His commandments. It assures needy and sorrowful people of divine help, with Christ acting as Friend and Advocate with the Father as He was about to leave the disciples, and divine help enabling them to accomplish God's purpose. Its fulfillment is known by those genuinely converted who comply with its terms, conversion removing selfishness and making a person a witness for God so that asking in Christ's name results in the Father being glorified in the Son. The disciples later experienced its results when the Spirit was poured out and Christ's promised gifts brought wonderful effects, showing prayer joined with humble obedience is the source of God's people's victories. The purpose of receiving is to glorify His name by giving to others, telling the Lord all perplexities, wants and needs and trusting His riches, goodness and love to supply what is needed, while it remains God's prerogative to know what is for good. Those whose character reflects Christ become channels through whom others are brought to Him, and their praise and thanksgiving redound to God in making heaven's treasures known to a fallen world. This answers Christ's workers with the influence and help needed to carry the saving gospel into neglected fields, bringing glory to the Father through the Son. Asking in Christ's name is asking for the glory of His name, and God answers such requests in a way that honors Him before those watching and makes His word triumph.
Believers are urged to exercise faith in the promises of God and respond with cheerfulness and gratitude. The promise also includes God's provision for His people to stand before unbelievers on the elevated platform of eternal truth, with the advantages He intended them to have.
Asking in Jesus Name
To ask in His name is to come to God through the worth of Christ's sacrifice at Calvary and His imputed righteousness, presenting His merit and virtue as the plea, the passport to the Father's heart and to all the riches of grace, and the endorsement that makes prayer acceptable. It is to use no human name but the name of Jesus as Substitute, Surety, Advocate and Intercessor, acknowledging His merits before the Father in faith that does not falter, with appreciation for what His death purchased. Contrite prayers are mingled with the fragrant merits of His own perfections in the golden censer and ascend as sweet incense, so the voice of supplication on earth is united with the voice of the Intercessor in heaven whom the Father always hears, and the Father hears and answers every such prayer.
Those who so ask are accepted in the Beloved, pardoned for Christ's sake, counted precious, regarded in the likeness of the Son, and valued at the price of Jesus. They are His purchased property, bought at the infinite price of His death for the world, and therefore are to set affection on things above where Christ sits at God's right hand rather than spend God-given abilities, time and talents serving the world, sin and the powers of darkness. Even the weakest person may therefore seek power from the source of all power and ask great things in faith in God's promises, that His name may be glorified.
Asking in His name does not mean asking foolish things, but asking for spirituality, grace and power, which God gives because Christ died and gave His life that believers might have it, enabling them to remain pleasant amid roughness and contention. It means asking according to God's will and for what serves His glory, with a child's simplicity and full trust that the request will be granted. Such asking honors Christ's name before watchers and makes His word triumph.
It means coming to the Father through Christ into access to the Father and the riches of His grace, with implicit trust in God. The Father already loves and hears those who love Christ and believe He came from God, so Christ need not persuade Him to listen. Believers may therefore pray directly to God for help and strength to resist temptation, cast their helpless souls on Christ and take God at His word, trusting their prayers will be answered and receiving grace and light that results in the Spirit's work in the heart.
Such asking belongs to vital union and living connection with Christ, to abiding in Him in faith and dependence, whose prayers are accepted through Him. Through that connection His righteousness and power are imparted so that His works can be done by His followers, heaven and earth are closely connected, and Jesus remains with them even when no minister is present. Only through that close connection is growth in grace and in knowledge of the truth possible, as He takes away garments of sin and clothes seekers with the robes of His righteousness.
Christ Interceding for Believers
Christ acts as Friend and Advocate with the Father at His right hand, presenting petitions made in His name, pleading the cause of believers, placing His own virtues to their account, interceding and mediating so that prayers are heard, and Himself bestowing the blessings sought. Those who meet His conditions through the end of time present their petitions in Jesus' name, remain connected to Him in prayer, humbly obey His requirements, and receive divine help to accomplish God's purpose, with comfort and help joined to obedience to His commandments. Praying in His name means acknowledging His merits before the Father and praying in faith, for His name is like no other name among men, and because He is a Friend at court pleading at the Father's throne they can speak that name and ask with assurance. Praying in His name gives petitions efficiency and power because He intercedes for those who receive Him, so the Father welcomes them through the Son and makes the riches of His grace available to them. The promise is to be presented to the Father and pleaded in His name for help, pity, strength, and Christ's power to rest upon His people as they acknowledge their weakness, grounded in His intercession and His blood-bought claim for the redeemed, asking God in faith and trusting Him to fulfill His word.
He mingles the prayers of His contrite children with the fragrant merits of His own perfections in the golden censer, and they ascend as sweet incense to the Father. The voice of supplication on earth is united with the voice of the Intercessor in heaven whom the Father always hears, so the voice heard by God is not ours alone but blended with the voice of Christ, and for His sake the Father hears every such prayer, answers it, and refuses nothing, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. Asking in His name means relying on the merits of His righteousness and His virtue placed within reach of the meek and lowly, and through the Holy Spirit they receive power to plead for themselves, to grasp His words in their behalf, to become united with God in oneness, and to minister to others. Those invested with His Spirit are virtually clothed with priestly garments and placed on vantage ground, with a censer filled with the incense of His righteousness put into their hands, and the promise belongs to earnest pleading for the holy fragrance of His character without uttering accusations against others, when His intercession prevails with God as the Almoner of infinite grace. Those who spend the time in justifying self and finding fault with others lose the opportunity to be placed on vantage ground, encourage evil angels to war against God's people, and shame Christ.
As the connecting link between God and man He unites divinity with humanity, placing the suppliant close by His side with His human arm around him while with His divine arm He grasps the throne of the Infinite. He places the whole virtue of His righteousness on the side of the suppliant and pleads for man while man pleads for himself in the presence of God. Asking in His name is approaching God through the virtue of the Redeemer's merits, acknowledging appreciation of what His death purchased and using the influence of the One who gave His life for the life of the world. He puts His merits as sweet incense in the censer in human hands to give fragrance to intercessions and to encourage petitions, making them acceptable, and He promises to hear and answer supplications offered in this way so that people receive divine help.
His name has power to save, to dispel darkness, to give light, and to bring cheer and peace with God even in the darkest parts of life's journey. In doing the Father's will He acts when people ask in His name, so that the Father is glorified in the Son, and this assurance cheers believers through the darkest times.
Because He is risen, living, all-powerful, and now making intercession, believers can have unwavering faith in Him, seek His help, and hold close connection with Him that enables growth in grace and knowledge of the truth. His promise to do what is asked in His name means those who desire a better world can trust Him to take away the garments of sin and clothe them with the robes of His righteousness. The promise gives solid ground for faith in God's word of infinite power as Advocate at Calvary, so there is no need to wait until cleansing is felt or wonderful emotions come, since feeling is changeable and is not the test of being heard. The verse is proved through the word of God and is claimed by confessing sin and trusting forgiveness and cleansing from all unrighteousness, coming not depending on personal goodness or good works but depending on the Sun of Righteousness, believing that He has taken away sins and imputed His righteousness. Earnest, continuing prayer of faith brings the light and strength needed to withstand Satan's changing temptations and to meet each day's trials, for Christians depend on God for fresh help rather than relying on yesterday's blessings.
Conditions for Answered Prayer
The promise is conditional, joined to loving Christ by keeping His commandments and His words as doers of the Word. Those who ask must remain connected to Him in prayer, walk in the light and in the path of the commandments, and meet God on the platform of His own devising by complying with the conditions laid down in His word. Merely professing obedience does not prove keeping, for keeping means loving God and neighbor, and the one who walks contrary to the expressed will of God must not expect to receive anything from the Lord. To such keepers the Father gives love, Christ manifests Himself, Father and Son make their abode with him, and the Father gives another Comforter, the Spirit of truth, to abide forever.
The commandments of Thou shalt and Thou shalt not are ten promises secured to those who render obedience to the law governing the universe. Their sum is to love the Lord God with all heart, soul, strength, and mind, and the neighbor as self, and plain obedience to them is the condition of gaining eternal life. Perfect obedience is the sign distinguishing those who love God, and truth received and practiced expands, insures constant light, and transforms the receiver into the likeness of its divine Originator. In this way those who look to the Pattern become partakers of the divine nature and like Him in character, living the truth as the very best way to preach the gospel.
Asking must accord with God's will and seek His glory, for God honors Christ's name when prayer believes and asks according to His will. The right kind of faith believes the promise under every circumstance, cultivates faith in practical life, and believes Christ is the only Saviour, since without faith it is impossible to please God. Feeling is changeable and is not the test of being heard, so there is no need to wait for cleansing to be felt or for wonderful emotions. The verse is proved by the word of God when sin is confessed and forgiveness and cleansing from all unrighteousness are trusted, coming not depending on personal goodness or good works but depending on the Sun of Righteousness, believing Christ has taken away sins and imputed His righteousness. To ask in His name in this sense is to ask with a child's simplicity and full trust that the request will be granted.
The promise calls for humble, simple, contrite prayer with childlike simplicity, genuine faith, and full assurance in coming to the throne of grace. Prayers are acceptable when offered with humility and contrition by the true Christian who expects blessings through Christ and desires Christ to present the prayers to the Father. United prayers for help and favor are to ascend with requests mingled with praise and thanksgiving, carrying difficulties to God and humbling before Him with unwavering faith that God hears and will answer, counseling together but above all counseling with God who will never mislead. Earnest pleading is to be as if life depended on the gift, with an earnestness that will not be denied, first talking with God before talking to others, especially when seeking the deep moving of the Holy Spirit upon hearts. The measure of holy influence received is proportionate to the measure of desire to receive, faith to grasp, and capacity to enjoy the blessing and impart it to others.
Asking in Christ's name accompanies trusting in the Lord and surrendering the will to His, and God then works out salvation. It is practiced with faith that the Lord hears, alongside giving Him undivided affection and obeying Him, with keeping His commandments as evidence of love. Its fulfillment is known by those genuinely converted who comply with His conditions, conversion removing selfishness and making a person a witness for God. Close connection with the risen, living, interceding Christ enables growth in grace and knowledge of the truth. Those who become acquainted with Him and labor in harmony with Him receive the things they ask and can ask Him for aid in every time of need, with minds enlightened by wisdom from above.
The promise belongs to faith taking hold for unity and love and Christian fellowship, and to appointed agencies working together in church capacity in unity and mutual love. The disciples held it by faith and it was fulfilled at Pentecost when they waited in Jerusalem, prayed, and put away bitterness and division so they could pray in unity, and when they put away selfishness, rivalry, and division and became united the Holy Spirit came upon them with power for preaching and converting souls. It belongs to earnest pleading for the holy fragrance of Christ's character without uttering accusations against others, for those invested with His Spirit are virtually clothed with priestly garments and placed on vantage ground, with a censer filled with the incense of His righteousness put into their hands, and Christ's intercession then prevails as the almoner of infinite grace. Those who occupy the time in justifying self and finding fault with others lose the opportunity to be placed on vantage ground, encourage evil angels to war against God's people, and shame Christ. Asking for healing of the sick must therefore be a most solemn work done in earnestness and faith after examination for evil speaking, alienation, dissension and sowing discord, with wrongs confessed before God and before the church.
It remains God's prerogative to know what is for good and what would cause harm, while it is the privilege of believers to tell Him plainly all perplexities, wants, and needs. God supplies what is most needed, in His own time and way, and may move people to provide help, so answered prayer honors Him and makes His work succeed. Prayer may be answered after delay, so believers are to wait patiently and not try to bring about their own plans by their own strength, but to ask in faith and act with trust in Jesus' power to answer. Healing is not to be asked unconditionally but submitted to the Lord who knows every secret of the soul, asking for health only if it is for His glory and for the good of the afflicted, trusting Jesus the Advocate who gave His life and loves better than intercessors possibly can, and such a conditional petition manifests no lack of faith.
Spirit Power and Mission
The promise stands joined to believing on Christ and to His going to the Father, so that believers do His works and even greater works because He goes to the Father. That doing is possible only through the power of the Holy Spirit, with His abiding presence guiding and with love shown by keeping the commandments and being doers of the Word. Earnest prayer depending on His might and power lays hold on this provision, and faith in accordance with the promise unlocks God's storehouse to show Jesus' compassion more largely. The office of the Spirit is to comfort and bring things to remembrance that increase faith, and those who meet the terms receive another Comforter, the Spirit of truth, to abide with them forever and be in them. In this connection the promise gives strong consolation, and those who so love and obey lay hold in confidence on everlasting life.
What is asked in His name He Himself will do so that the Father is glorified in the Son, and this is to be pleaded especially for the Holy Spirit with trust that God will keep His word when prayer is offered in faith. The Comforter is sent in answer to the prayer of faith at all times and in all places, in all sorrows and affliction, when the outlook seems dark and the future perplexing and souls feel helpless and alone. He comes as a personal presence connected with heaven, given in Christ's place to act in His stead, speaking to the heart to support, sustain and cheer. With the Bible in hand the believer who has done as God has said may present the promise before God, trusting that God stands behind every promise He has made. Its fulfillment is certain because God is true with no variableness or shadow of turning, and the honor of His throne is staked on His word to hear those who come confessing unworthiness and sin.
The disciples held this promise by faith, and it was fulfilled at Pentecost when after the ascension they waited in Jerusalem, prayed in Jesus' name, and put away bitterness and division so they could pray in unity. Then the Holy Spirit came upon them and they were filled to represent Christ and speak as the Spirit gave them utterance, and to speak God's word boldly. At Pentecost they received evidence that they were accepted by God and that the promise was sure, as selfishness, rivalry and division were put away and they became united. The power for preaching the gospel and converting souls comes from Christ, not from human beings. This outpouring belongs to all who meet His conditions through loving obedience to His commandments, assuring needy and sorrowful people of divine help, joined to His giving of the Spirit of truth to remain with His followers and to His assurance that He will not leave them comfortless, with prayer joined to humble obedience as the source of victories.
The promise belongs to Christ's instruction that His work must rely on divine power joined with human effort, for God supplies the work's efficiency and power while human workers remain responsible to act and must seek the power God provides. Without this partnership His work cannot be accomplished, and in the setting of doing His works and advancing the saving gospel message workers are to work and pray with confidence that God will provide what is needed. Those whose character reflects Christ become channels through whom others are brought to Him and heaven's treasures are made known to a fallen world, and their praise and thanksgiving redound to God. The promise is given to His appointed agencies working together in church capacity in unity and mutual love, alongside the call to love Him and keep His commandments, and Christ works through them to make His cause a power in the world. In this way He assures His workers that He will answer requests made in His name by giving the influence and help needed to carry the saving gospel into neglected fields, carrying difficulties to God with united praise rather than depending on feeble human help.
Daily Applications of Prayer
Believers may tell God plainly what they need and ask in Jesus' name for temporal and spiritual things, trusting His riches, goodness and love to supply what they cannot do for themselves. God's appointments and grants in answer are without limit, reaching the throne of grace itself where the One who hears permits them to call Him Father, and He understands their situation and will work in their behalf even in close financial battle. No trial excuses loosening hold on Him, for His everlasting arms encircle the soul that turns to Him for aid and He is the source of strength and stronghold in every trial. It remains His prerogative to know what is for good and what would harm, deciding what will truly benefit, while it is the privilege of believers to ask with humble, simple prayer and confidence in His word.
The promise gives reason to pray in faith and hope in time of danger and threatened religious liberty, joining prayer with active efforts to avert evil rather than waiting passively for oppression. It is impossible for God to fail His people in time of necessity, for when His children cry to Him His hand is stretched forth mightily to save, and strength is found in earnest resolution and prayer for needed help. His elect who cry day and night to Him will be avenged, even through the proving and trial of the church just before He is near to come in the clouds of heaven.
Christ will do what is asked in His name so the Father is glorified in the Son, and this is applied to searching Scripture for truth and knowledge of relation to God and His will. Those who need to know truth, duty, how to be saved, their relation to God, and His will concerning them as contained in His Word should never cease asking and searching, because it is His will that they know what He has said. Receiving requires exercising faith that God is and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him, searching the Bible with a heart hungry for spiritual food and digging like a miner for gold until relation to God and His will are ascertained. Asking in Jesus' name includes humbly and trustingly seeking guidance to know duty, with promise to teach, lead and bless those who come in faith.
Strength comes from continually coming to Christ, asking, seeking and knocking rather than remaining idle, trusting His word and praying actively, with what is received to be shared with others. Christ will give sufficient power when believers ask in His name, enabling them to reach the high standard of obedience and character God requires. This is joined to keeping His commandments and to the Father sending the Spirit of truth to abide forever. It is applied to asking God for physical and spiritual strength to give Him wholesome service, including self-denial and choosing food and drink that support health.
What is asked in Jesus' name will be done, bringing glory to the Father through the Son, and this gave confidence during painful extraction of teeth and during a painful dental operation, with prayer answered by strength to endure without groan or moan. The promise supports prayer for the sick and confidence that petitions are heard, and gives assurance that prayer for restoration and strength to serve can be answered because God's word is sure. It applies to asking for bodily help to do God's work, such as removal of hoarseness in order to preach with clearness, with confidence that the request is heard and strength to speak will be given. It gives comfort and unfaltering confidence even when feeling unworthy, as in trusting Christ to restore sight so as to write.
Requests made to the Father in Christ's name will be answered by Christ so the Father is glorified in the Son, and this calls for faith in Christ rather than reliance on drugs. Lack of faith leads people to rely on drugs instead, while confidence belongs in Christ who does not desire sickness and will keep well those who live by health-reform principles. The promise gives reason to seek God's power and wisdom in faith in the work of restoring the sick and guiding the institution, not replacing faith in His promises or living by health principles with reliance on drugs. Christ cooperates with those who serve Him by relieving suffering and misery and offering words of cheer.
Christ will act on requests made in His name so the Father is glorified in the Son, giving encouragement and confidence to seek His help and to keep praying, trusting the promise and receiving what is asked with thanksgiving. He intercedes for His people, and the promise is to be presented to the Father and pleaded in Christ's name for help, pity, strength, and Christ's power to rest upon His people as they acknowledge weakness, grounded in His intercession and blood-bought claim for the redeemed. Followers may ask Him for what they greatly need, trusting His promises and believing He will hear and answer, including strength and wisdom for service. Even when feeling unworthy, the promise grounds unfaltering confidence and comfort in prayer.
Whatsoever is asked in His name Christ Himself will do, and what is asked of the Father in His name is answered by Him, in order that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
The promise means what it says and is certain and unchangeable, with the honor of the throne staked upon it, and it belongs to all through the end of time who meet its conditions and prove it by complying with its terms.
To ask in His name is to come to God through the worth of His sacrifice and imputed righteousness, presenting His merit as plea and passport, in vital union with Him by abiding in faith and dependence.
It is conditional on loving obedience that keeps His commandments and words, on asking according to His will and for His glory, in humble, earnest, believing prayer with surrendered will and unity and mutual love.
As Friend and Advocate at the Father's right hand He presents the petitions and mingles contrite prayer with the fragrance of His own perfections, so that nothing asked for His sake is refused, and through the promised Comforter believers do His works and greater works in carrying forward His mission.
Context and Wording
The verse belongs to the farewell teaching of John 13 through 17, especially John 14 through 16, with John 14:13 included among the verses that set out God's will to be believed and lived. It was spoken in the upper chamber before leading out toward the Mount of Olives, beginning with comfort against a troubled heart. It belongs to Christ's solemn instruction to His disciples before His crucifixion and ascension, about His going away to prepare mansions and coming again to receive His people to Himself where He is, calling hearers to expect the soon coming of Christ, and it shows the love of God which passes knowledge and what God desires to do for the human race.
It was spoken when Christ was about to close His earthly work and return to the Father, after telling His disciples He was about to leave them, as part of the assurance given before leaving them and before His ascension. A cruel death was before Him and He knew the bitter cup He must drink and its result for them and for Himself, yet forgetting Himself and His suffering He sought to comfort His sorrowing disciples who were troubled at losing their beloved Master. He had labored three years to prepare them for the trials soon to open before them, and after Judas had left the upper chamber He was left alone with the eleven before speaking of His approaching separation. The promise was given to comfort and console, to prepare them for coming trials, to strengthen them to endure without failing when faith and courage would be severely tried, knowing the trials that would come to His church through unconverted believers, and to assure them by faith accepting and practicing His teachings they could continue His work rather than give way to mourning and disappointment, and that He would not leave them comfortless or forsake them.
It holds one of the richest promises in the Bible, belonging to the deep weighty lessons of John 13 through 17 that are to be read, dwelt upon with feeling, studied for the meaning of every word, and even committed to memory. It is part of God's plainly outlined and plainly expressed will in John 6 and John 13 through 17, and among the duties specified by Christ that must be carefully studied and earnestly practiced rather than neglected. So treasured, the mind becomes a storehouse of truth like a watered garden that refreshes others, giving Thus saith the Lord and It is written to speak a word in season to the oppressed, sorrowful, afflicted, and perishing. That instruction is meant to cure dissension, and when lived out in practical life and before fellow ministers as genuine missionary work it produces unity with one another and with Christ, love, and strength to withstand Satan's assaults and to stand the test in the shaking time, while having such great light yet showing little real genuine piety is cause for pain, and practicing it honors God and Jesus Christ whom He sent and bears to the world the divine credential that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son so that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
It is one of the promises in the fourteenth chapter of John to be opened and read when in trouble and difficulty and hardly knowing what to do, and to be studied during the week. It is to be read at family worship so children can comprehend its wonderful truth, for it is so simple that even children may understand its simple comfort, and it is to be believed as the Word of God, to be laid hold of and presented to the family. So received it brings peace and hope and rejoicing even when discouraged and disheartened, proving that God does just as He said He would for needy applicants who consecrate themselves to Him and present their case to Him, and that He will not leave them comfortless. It calls fathers, mothers, and children to glorify God in every way possible, so that the great peace of God comes into their minds and the children speak of the kindness and love of Jesus, and as long as time shall last it brings to the true believer courage to stand fast in the most trying hour, with strength and assurance, unity, love, and strength to withstand assaults.
The surrounding teaching joins asking in His name to loving Him and keeping His commandments and His words as an expression of love, with those who keep them abiding in His love and Christ manifesting Himself to them. It belongs to those who believe on Him, who will do the works He did and greater works because He goes to the Father, and it is joined to receiving another Comforter, the Spirit of truth, who dwells with believers and will be in them forever, so they are not left comfortless because Christ comes to them. Faith must take hold of this promise as a great advantage offered to believers for unity and love and Christian fellowship among His followers, and it is part of the obedience expected of God's sons and daughters.
The chapter teaches that God responds when people draw near to Him, coming near to them, and every step toward Jesus is met by His advance toward them, with His love directed to all the world. Glorifying the Father was the great object of Christ's mission kept ever before Him, and it was His joy that all His humiliation and suffering would glorify the Father's name. Christ is the brightness of the Father's glory, the manifestation of His love, the channel by which His mercy comes and by which prayers rise to the Father.
Promise and Its Purpose
What is asked in His name Christ Himself will do, and requests made to the Father in His name are answered by Him, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. The promise stands joined to belief in Him and His works and to His going to the Father, with believers doing Christ's works in unity with the Father. To all who ask in faith grace and power are imparted in rich measure.
The verse means what it says to each person, and is to be received by faith, believed and acted upon with childlike simplicity, genuine faith and full assurance when coming to the throne of grace. The promise is unconditional, absolute, certain and unchangeable, yea and Amen in Christ, with the honor of the throne staked on it and no variableness or shadow of turning in God, who honors His word and stands behind every promise He has made. Those who believe will not be disappointed, for God gives what needy souls ask in faith on the trustworthy word of Christ. Asking in that name presents His name as endorsement for the request, and asking in faith in that name guarantees the prayer will be heard and answered, which is meant to inspire absolute certainty. This calls for earnest pleading as if life depended on the gift, with an earnestness that will not be denied, first talking with God before talking to others, especially when seeking the deep moving of the Holy Spirit upon hearts, and the measure of holy influence received is proportionate to desire to receive, faith to grasp, and capacity to enjoy the blessing and impart it to others. Coming to the Father through Christ, whom the Father already loves and hears without needing persuasion, believers may trust their prayers will be answered and receive grace as they seek to please Him, confessing unworthiness and sin.
The promise belongs to all who meet Christ's conditions through the end of time, presenting petitions in Jesus' name, remaining connected to Him in prayer, and humbly obeying His requirements, including loving obedience to His commandments. It assures needy and sorrowful people of divine help, with Christ acting as Friend and Advocate with the Father as He was about to leave the disciples, and divine help enabling them to accomplish God's purpose. Its fulfillment is known by those genuinely converted who comply with its terms, conversion removing selfishness and making a person a witness for God so that asking in Christ's name results in the Father being glorified in the Son. The disciples later experienced its results when the Spirit was poured out and Christ's promised gifts brought wonderful effects, showing prayer joined with humble obedience is the source of God's people's victories. The purpose of receiving is to glorify His name by giving to others, telling the Lord all perplexities, wants and needs and trusting His riches, goodness and love to supply what is needed, while it remains God's prerogative to know what is for good. Those whose character reflects Christ become channels through whom others are brought to Him, and their praise and thanksgiving redound to God in making heaven's treasures known to a fallen world. This answers Christ's workers with the influence and help needed to carry the saving gospel into neglected fields, bringing glory to the Father through the Son. Asking in Christ's name is asking for the glory of His name, and God answers such requests in a way that honors Him before those watching and makes His word triumph.
Believers are urged to exercise faith in the promises of God and respond with cheerfulness and gratitude. The promise also includes God's provision for His people to stand before unbelievers on the elevated platform of eternal truth, with the advantages He intended them to have.
Asking in Jesus Name
To ask in His name is to come to God through the worth of Christ's sacrifice at Calvary and His imputed righteousness, presenting His merit and virtue as the plea, the passport to the Father's heart and to all the riches of grace, and the endorsement that makes prayer acceptable. It is to use no human name but the name of Jesus as Substitute, Surety, Advocate and Intercessor, acknowledging His merits before the Father in faith that does not falter, with appreciation for what His death purchased. Contrite prayers are mingled with the fragrant merits of His own perfections in the golden censer and ascend as sweet incense, so the voice of supplication on earth is united with the voice of the Intercessor in heaven whom the Father always hears, and the Father hears and answers every such prayer.
Those who so ask are accepted in the Beloved, pardoned for Christ's sake, counted precious, regarded in the likeness of the Son, and valued at the price of Jesus. They are His purchased property, bought at the infinite price of His death for the world, and therefore are to set affection on things above where Christ sits at God's right hand rather than spend God-given abilities, time and talents serving the world, sin and the powers of darkness. Even the weakest person may therefore seek power from the source of all power and ask great things in faith in God's promises, that His name may be glorified.
Asking in His name does not mean asking foolish things, but asking for spirituality, grace and power, which God gives because Christ died and gave His life that believers might have it, enabling them to remain pleasant amid roughness and contention. It means asking according to God's will and for what serves His glory, with a child's simplicity and full trust that the request will be granted. Such asking honors Christ's name before watchers and makes His word triumph.
It means coming to the Father through Christ into access to the Father and the riches of His grace, with implicit trust in God. The Father already loves and hears those who love Christ and believe He came from God, so Christ need not persuade Him to listen. Believers may therefore pray directly to God for help and strength to resist temptation, cast their helpless souls on Christ and take God at His word, trusting their prayers will be answered and receiving grace and light that results in the Spirit's work in the heart.
Such asking belongs to vital union and living connection with Christ, to abiding in Him in faith and dependence, whose prayers are accepted through Him. Through that connection His righteousness and power are imparted so that His works can be done by His followers, heaven and earth are closely connected, and Jesus remains with them even when no minister is present. Only through that close connection is growth in grace and in knowledge of the truth possible, as He takes away garments of sin and clothes seekers with the robes of His righteousness.
Christ Interceding for Believers
Christ acts as Friend and Advocate with the Father at His right hand, presenting petitions made in His name, pleading the cause of believers, placing His own virtues to their account, interceding and mediating so that prayers are heard, and Himself bestowing the blessings sought. Those who meet His conditions through the end of time present their petitions in Jesus' name, remain connected to Him in prayer, humbly obey His requirements, and receive divine help to accomplish God's purpose, with comfort and help joined to obedience to His commandments. Praying in His name means acknowledging His merits before the Father and praying in faith, for His name is like no other name among men, and because He is a Friend at court pleading at the Father's throne they can speak that name and ask with assurance. Praying in His name gives petitions efficiency and power because He intercedes for those who receive Him, so the Father welcomes them through the Son and makes the riches of His grace available to them. The promise is to be presented to the Father and pleaded in His name for help, pity, strength, and Christ's power to rest upon His people as they acknowledge their weakness, grounded in His intercession and His blood-bought claim for the redeemed, asking God in faith and trusting Him to fulfill His word.
He mingles the prayers of His contrite children with the fragrant merits of His own perfections in the golden censer, and they ascend as sweet incense to the Father. The voice of supplication on earth is united with the voice of the Intercessor in heaven whom the Father always hears, so the voice heard by God is not ours alone but blended with the voice of Christ, and for His sake the Father hears every such prayer, answers it, and refuses nothing, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. Asking in His name means relying on the merits of His righteousness and His virtue placed within reach of the meek and lowly, and through the Holy Spirit they receive power to plead for themselves, to grasp His words in their behalf, to become united with God in oneness, and to minister to others. Those invested with His Spirit are virtually clothed with priestly garments and placed on vantage ground, with a censer filled with the incense of His righteousness put into their hands, and the promise belongs to earnest pleading for the holy fragrance of His character without uttering accusations against others, when His intercession prevails with God as the Almoner of infinite grace. Those who spend the time in justifying self and finding fault with others lose the opportunity to be placed on vantage ground, encourage evil angels to war against God's people, and shame Christ.
As the connecting link between God and man He unites divinity with humanity, placing the suppliant close by His side with His human arm around him while with His divine arm He grasps the throne of the Infinite. He places the whole virtue of His righteousness on the side of the suppliant and pleads for man while man pleads for himself in the presence of God. Asking in His name is approaching God through the virtue of the Redeemer's merits, acknowledging appreciation of what His death purchased and using the influence of the One who gave His life for the life of the world. He puts His merits as sweet incense in the censer in human hands to give fragrance to intercessions and to encourage petitions, making them acceptable, and He promises to hear and answer supplications offered in this way so that people receive divine help.
His name has power to save, to dispel darkness, to give light, and to bring cheer and peace with God even in the darkest parts of life's journey. In doing the Father's will He acts when people ask in His name, so that the Father is glorified in the Son, and this assurance cheers believers through the darkest times.
Because He is risen, living, all-powerful, and now making intercession, believers can have unwavering faith in Him, seek His help, and hold close connection with Him that enables growth in grace and knowledge of the truth. His promise to do what is asked in His name means those who desire a better world can trust Him to take away the garments of sin and clothe them with the robes of His righteousness. The promise gives solid ground for faith in God's word of infinite power as Advocate at Calvary, so there is no need to wait until cleansing is felt or wonderful emotions come, since feeling is changeable and is not the test of being heard. The verse is proved through the word of God and is claimed by confessing sin and trusting forgiveness and cleansing from all unrighteousness, coming not depending on personal goodness or good works but depending on the Sun of Righteousness, believing that He has taken away sins and imputed His righteousness. Earnest, continuing prayer of faith brings the light and strength needed to withstand Satan's changing temptations and to meet each day's trials, for Christians depend on God for fresh help rather than relying on yesterday's blessings.
Conditions for Answered Prayer
The promise is conditional, joined to loving Christ by keeping His commandments and His words as doers of the Word. Those who ask must remain connected to Him in prayer, walk in the light and in the path of the commandments, and meet God on the platform of His own devising by complying with the conditions laid down in His word. Merely professing obedience does not prove keeping, for keeping means loving God and neighbor, and the one who walks contrary to the expressed will of God must not expect to receive anything from the Lord. To such keepers the Father gives love, Christ manifests Himself, Father and Son make their abode with him, and the Father gives another Comforter, the Spirit of truth, to abide forever.
The commandments of Thou shalt and Thou shalt not are ten promises secured to those who render obedience to the law governing the universe. Their sum is to love the Lord God with all heart, soul, strength, and mind, and the neighbor as self, and plain obedience to them is the condition of gaining eternal life. Perfect obedience is the sign distinguishing those who love God, and truth received and practiced expands, insures constant light, and transforms the receiver into the likeness of its divine Originator. In this way those who look to the Pattern become partakers of the divine nature and like Him in character, living the truth as the very best way to preach the gospel.
Asking must accord with God's will and seek His glory, for God honors Christ's name when prayer believes and asks according to His will. The right kind of faith believes the promise under every circumstance, cultivates faith in practical life, and believes Christ is the only Saviour, since without faith it is impossible to please God. Feeling is changeable and is not the test of being heard, so there is no need to wait for cleansing to be felt or for wonderful emotions. The verse is proved by the word of God when sin is confessed and forgiveness and cleansing from all unrighteousness are trusted, coming not depending on personal goodness or good works but depending on the Sun of Righteousness, believing Christ has taken away sins and imputed His righteousness. To ask in His name in this sense is to ask with a child's simplicity and full trust that the request will be granted.
The promise calls for humble, simple, contrite prayer with childlike simplicity, genuine faith, and full assurance in coming to the throne of grace. Prayers are acceptable when offered with humility and contrition by the true Christian who expects blessings through Christ and desires Christ to present the prayers to the Father. United prayers for help and favor are to ascend with requests mingled with praise and thanksgiving, carrying difficulties to God and humbling before Him with unwavering faith that God hears and will answer, counseling together but above all counseling with God who will never mislead. Earnest pleading is to be as if life depended on the gift, with an earnestness that will not be denied, first talking with God before talking to others, especially when seeking the deep moving of the Holy Spirit upon hearts. The measure of holy influence received is proportionate to the measure of desire to receive, faith to grasp, and capacity to enjoy the blessing and impart it to others.
Asking in Christ's name accompanies trusting in the Lord and surrendering the will to His, and God then works out salvation. It is practiced with faith that the Lord hears, alongside giving Him undivided affection and obeying Him, with keeping His commandments as evidence of love. Its fulfillment is known by those genuinely converted who comply with His conditions, conversion removing selfishness and making a person a witness for God. Close connection with the risen, living, interceding Christ enables growth in grace and knowledge of the truth. Those who become acquainted with Him and labor in harmony with Him receive the things they ask and can ask Him for aid in every time of need, with minds enlightened by wisdom from above.
The promise belongs to faith taking hold for unity and love and Christian fellowship, and to appointed agencies working together in church capacity in unity and mutual love. The disciples held it by faith and it was fulfilled at Pentecost when they waited in Jerusalem, prayed, and put away bitterness and division so they could pray in unity, and when they put away selfishness, rivalry, and division and became united the Holy Spirit came upon them with power for preaching and converting souls. It belongs to earnest pleading for the holy fragrance of Christ's character without uttering accusations against others, for those invested with His Spirit are virtually clothed with priestly garments and placed on vantage ground, with a censer filled with the incense of His righteousness put into their hands, and Christ's intercession then prevails as the almoner of infinite grace. Those who occupy the time in justifying self and finding fault with others lose the opportunity to be placed on vantage ground, encourage evil angels to war against God's people, and shame Christ. Asking for healing of the sick must therefore be a most solemn work done in earnestness and faith after examination for evil speaking, alienation, dissension and sowing discord, with wrongs confessed before God and before the church.
It remains God's prerogative to know what is for good and what would cause harm, while it is the privilege of believers to tell Him plainly all perplexities, wants, and needs. God supplies what is most needed, in His own time and way, and may move people to provide help, so answered prayer honors Him and makes His work succeed. Prayer may be answered after delay, so believers are to wait patiently and not try to bring about their own plans by their own strength, but to ask in faith and act with trust in Jesus' power to answer. Healing is not to be asked unconditionally but submitted to the Lord who knows every secret of the soul, asking for health only if it is for His glory and for the good of the afflicted, trusting Jesus the Advocate who gave His life and loves better than intercessors possibly can, and such a conditional petition manifests no lack of faith.
Spirit Power and Mission
The promise stands joined to believing on Christ and to His going to the Father, so that believers do His works and even greater works because He goes to the Father. That doing is possible only through the power of the Holy Spirit, with His abiding presence guiding and with love shown by keeping the commandments and being doers of the Word. Earnest prayer depending on His might and power lays hold on this provision, and faith in accordance with the promise unlocks God's storehouse to show Jesus' compassion more largely. The office of the Spirit is to comfort and bring things to remembrance that increase faith, and those who meet the terms receive another Comforter, the Spirit of truth, to abide with them forever and be in them. In this connection the promise gives strong consolation, and those who so love and obey lay hold in confidence on everlasting life.
What is asked in His name He Himself will do so that the Father is glorified in the Son, and this is to be pleaded especially for the Holy Spirit with trust that God will keep His word when prayer is offered in faith. The Comforter is sent in answer to the prayer of faith at all times and in all places, in all sorrows and affliction, when the outlook seems dark and the future perplexing and souls feel helpless and alone. He comes as a personal presence connected with heaven, given in Christ's place to act in His stead, speaking to the heart to support, sustain and cheer. With the Bible in hand the believer who has done as God has said may present the promise before God, trusting that God stands behind every promise He has made. Its fulfillment is certain because God is true with no variableness or shadow of turning, and the honor of His throne is staked on His word to hear those who come confessing unworthiness and sin.
The disciples held this promise by faith, and it was fulfilled at Pentecost when after the ascension they waited in Jerusalem, prayed in Jesus' name, and put away bitterness and division so they could pray in unity. Then the Holy Spirit came upon them and they were filled to represent Christ and speak as the Spirit gave them utterance, and to speak God's word boldly. At Pentecost they received evidence that they were accepted by God and that the promise was sure, as selfishness, rivalry and division were put away and they became united. The power for preaching the gospel and converting souls comes from Christ, not from human beings. This outpouring belongs to all who meet His conditions through loving obedience to His commandments, assuring needy and sorrowful people of divine help, joined to His giving of the Spirit of truth to remain with His followers and to His assurance that He will not leave them comfortless, with prayer joined to humble obedience as the source of victories.
The promise belongs to Christ's instruction that His work must rely on divine power joined with human effort, for God supplies the work's efficiency and power while human workers remain responsible to act and must seek the power God provides. Without this partnership His work cannot be accomplished, and in the setting of doing His works and advancing the saving gospel message workers are to work and pray with confidence that God will provide what is needed. Those whose character reflects Christ become channels through whom others are brought to Him and heaven's treasures are made known to a fallen world, and their praise and thanksgiving redound to God. The promise is given to His appointed agencies working together in church capacity in unity and mutual love, alongside the call to love Him and keep His commandments, and Christ works through them to make His cause a power in the world. In this way He assures His workers that He will answer requests made in His name by giving the influence and help needed to carry the saving gospel into neglected fields, carrying difficulties to God with united praise rather than depending on feeble human help.
Daily Applications of Prayer
Believers may tell God plainly what they need and ask in Jesus' name for temporal and spiritual things, trusting His riches, goodness and love to supply what they cannot do for themselves. God's appointments and grants in answer are without limit, reaching the throne of grace itself where the One who hears permits them to call Him Father, and He understands their situation and will work in their behalf even in close financial battle. No trial excuses loosening hold on Him, for His everlasting arms encircle the soul that turns to Him for aid and He is the source of strength and stronghold in every trial. It remains His prerogative to know what is for good and what would harm, deciding what will truly benefit, while it is the privilege of believers to ask with humble, simple prayer and confidence in His word.
The promise gives reason to pray in faith and hope in time of danger and threatened religious liberty, joining prayer with active efforts to avert evil rather than waiting passively for oppression. It is impossible for God to fail His people in time of necessity, for when His children cry to Him His hand is stretched forth mightily to save, and strength is found in earnest resolution and prayer for needed help. His elect who cry day and night to Him will be avenged, even through the proving and trial of the church just before He is near to come in the clouds of heaven.
Christ will do what is asked in His name so the Father is glorified in the Son, and this is applied to searching Scripture for truth and knowledge of relation to God and His will. Those who need to know truth, duty, how to be saved, their relation to God, and His will concerning them as contained in His Word should never cease asking and searching, because it is His will that they know what He has said. Receiving requires exercising faith that God is and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him, searching the Bible with a heart hungry for spiritual food and digging like a miner for gold until relation to God and His will are ascertained. Asking in Jesus' name includes humbly and trustingly seeking guidance to know duty, with promise to teach, lead and bless those who come in faith.
Strength comes from continually coming to Christ, asking, seeking and knocking rather than remaining idle, trusting His word and praying actively, with what is received to be shared with others. Christ will give sufficient power when believers ask in His name, enabling them to reach the high standard of obedience and character God requires. This is joined to keeping His commandments and to the Father sending the Spirit of truth to abide forever. It is applied to asking God for physical and spiritual strength to give Him wholesome service, including self-denial and choosing food and drink that support health.
What is asked in Jesus' name will be done, bringing glory to the Father through the Son, and this gave confidence during painful extraction of teeth and during a painful dental operation, with prayer answered by strength to endure without groan or moan. The promise supports prayer for the sick and confidence that petitions are heard, and gives assurance that prayer for restoration and strength to serve can be answered because God's word is sure. It applies to asking for bodily help to do God's work, such as removal of hoarseness in order to preach with clearness, with confidence that the request is heard and strength to speak will be given. It gives comfort and unfaltering confidence even when feeling unworthy, as in trusting Christ to restore sight so as to write.
Requests made to the Father in Christ's name will be answered by Christ so the Father is glorified in the Son, and this calls for faith in Christ rather than reliance on drugs. Lack of faith leads people to rely on drugs instead, while confidence belongs in Christ who does not desire sickness and will keep well those who live by health-reform principles. The promise gives reason to seek God's power and wisdom in faith in the work of restoring the sick and guiding the institution, not replacing faith in His promises or living by health principles with reliance on drugs. Christ cooperates with those who serve Him by relieving suffering and misery and offering words of cheer.
Christ will act on requests made in His name so the Father is glorified in the Son, giving encouragement and confidence to seek His help and to keep praying, trusting the promise and receiving what is asked with thanksgiving. He intercedes for His people, and the promise is to be presented to the Father and pleaded in Christ's name for help, pity, strength, and Christ's power to rest upon His people as they acknowledge weakness, grounded in His intercession and blood-bought claim for the redeemed. Followers may ask Him for what they greatly need, trusting His promises and believing He will hear and answer, including strength and wisdom for service. Even when feeling unworthy, the promise grounds unfaltering confidence and comfort in prayer.