We can go boldly to God with confidence knowing that He hears the prayers we pray in line with the Word of God. More than this, our Heavenly Father made a way for us to tap into His power through Jesus Christ. The Bible is clear about the incredible privilege and authority we have as believers when we approach the throne of grace in the name of Jesus.
Seek God’s Kingdom First
Matthew 6:33 – But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
This verse comes from the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus taught His disciples about various aspects of righteous living and trusting in God’s provision.
Now, to truly grasp the depth and significance of this verse, we must understand its context. Prior to verse 33, Jesus was addressing the issue of worry and anxiety. He spoke about the concerns of daily life, such as food, drink, and clothing, and assured His disciples that their Heavenly Father knows their needs and will provide for them.
In this verse, Jesus gives us the key to overcoming worry and experiencing abundant provision: seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. So, what does it mean to seek God’s kingdom and righteousness?
Seeking God’s kingdom means making God the top priority in our lives. We seek His kingdom by seeking to align our lives with His will and purposes. Pursue a life of holiness and righteousness, which comes through faith in Jesus Christ. Live in accordance with God’s Word, walking in obedience to His commandments, and allowing the Holy Spirit to transform us from the inside out to become more like Jesus.
When we make seeking God’s kingdom and righteousness our top priority, Jesus assures us that “all these things will be given to you as well.” What are “all these things”? They refer to the very concerns that cause us anxiety – our basic needs such as food, clothing, and provision. Jesus is assuring us that when we prioritize God’s kingdom and righteousness, He will take care of our needs abundantly.
As you make God your top priority, you will discover that He is a faithful and loving Father who takes care of His children in every way.
God is Your Source
Philippians 4:19 – And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Paul starts by saying, “And my God.” Here, he emphasizes the personal relationship he has with God; He wants the same type of relationship with all believers today because He is interested about our lives and well-being.
Paul continues, “will meet all your needs.” The word “needs” encompasses every aspect of our lives—physical, emotional, and spiritual. Our Heavenly Father cares about every detail of our lives. He is not limited in His ability to provide and meet our needs, so we can confidently bring all our needs before Him, knowing that He is more than able and willing to supply.
Our God is the God of abundance! His riches are limitless, and He draws from the infinite resources of His glory to meet our needs. We serve a God who is able to go above and beyond what we can ask or imagine as Ephesians 3:20 says.
Our access to the abundant provision of God is made possible through our union with Jesus Christ. Through His sacrifice on the cross, Jesus reconciled us to God and made us heirs of His promises. In Christ, we have the privilege of approaching the Father with confidence, knowing that we are accepted and loved.
As we trust in Him, align our lives with His will, and seek His kingdom above everything else, we can rest in the assurance that He will provide for us abundantly. Our God is faithful, and His provision flows from the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus. So, trust in His provision, lean on His promises, and experience the abundance that flows from a life surrendered to Him.
Romans 8:32 – He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?
If God was willing to give the most precious and valuable gift, His Son, to secure our salvation, we can trust that He will also provide for our other needs. This assurance gives believers confidence in approaching God and seeking His provision.
Be Persistent in Prayer
Matthew 7:7-8 – “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
These verses convey a beautiful invitation from Jesus to approach God in prayer with confidence, knowing that He is ready to respond to our needs. He encourages us to bring our requests before God, to ask boldly and to present persistently our needs, desires, and concerns because He is eager to hear from us and respond according to His perfect will.
Next, Jesus says, “Seek and you will find.” This goes beyond asking; it involves actively pursuing God’s will and direction. As we seek Him, He promises that we will find the answers we are looking for. It is an assurance that God reveals Himself and His plans to those who earnestly seek Him.
The third action Jesus mentions is to “Knock.” This implies persistent and determined action. When we knock on a door, we do not passively wait for it to open, but we demonstrate a fervent desire to gain entry. Similarly, in our prayer life, Jesus encourages us to persistently and confidently knock on heaven’s door, knowing that God is ready to open it and respond to our heartfelt petitions.
Our Heavenly Father is a loving and generous God who delights in answering the prayers of His children. He desires to give good gifts to those who come to Him in faith and trust.
Ask boldly, seek diligently, and knock persistently. Trust in the goodness and faithfulness of our Heavenly Father, knowing that He hears your prayers and is eager to respond.
Our God is a Good Father
Matthew 7:11 – If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!
Human parents naturally desire to provide for the needs and desires of their children, striving to give them good things. If earthly parents, with their limited understanding and imperfect nature, can give good gifts to their children, then how much more can our Heavenly Father, who is perfect in every way, give good gifts to those who ask Him?
As we approach God in prayer, we can do so with confidence and trust, knowing that He is a loving and generous Father who desires to give us good gifts. He takes joy in meeting our needs, providing for us, and blessing us in ways that will bring about His purposes in our lives.
The Power of Agreement
Matthew 18:19 – “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.
Coming into agreement is one of the most powerful tools God has given us as believers. When two or more believers come together in agreement, aligning their hearts and desires in prayer, they possess a special spiritual synergy that allows their petitions to be heard and answered by God. The prayers prayed in agreement are powerful and effective.
A biblical agreement is based on the Word of God. Find scriptures that cover your request so you can pray on something God has already said. Stay focused on the Word and don’t let the enemy say anything then is not in line with the Word. Stay away from doubt, fear, or worry. Act as if it is done and speak the desired end result. Speak about what you just agreed on.
Sometimes the prayer may not be answered in the way you expected it to be answered but I am sure it will be answered much better. God’s answer is always in line with His Word and He will respond according to what is best for His children. Sometimes, our prayers may be influenced by our own desires or limited understanding, but when we seek to align our prayers with God’s will, He will graciously answer them according to His perfect plan.
Believing is Your Part
Matthew 21:22 – And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.
Mark 11:24 – Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you.
Mark 9:23 – Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”
This verse comes from a larger passage where Jesus has just cursed a fig tree for not bearing fruit and proceeds to teach His disciples about the power of faith. He uses the example of the fig tree to illustrate the importance of genuine, unwavering faith in prayer.
Faith is the foundational element that enables us to approach God with trust and confidence, believing that He is able and willing to answer our prayers according to His perfect will. Faith also involves firmly believing in God’s character, His promises, and His ability to fulfill what He has spoken. It is an assurance that God is trustworthy and faithful. So next time you pray, believe you receive what you asked for.
It’s important to note that having faith in prayer doesn’t mean we will receive everything we ask for in the exact way or timing we desire. God, in His wisdom and love, knows what is truly best for us. He may answer our prayers in ways we do not expect or understand, but always according to His perfect will.
In the Name of Jesus
John 14:13-14 – Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.
Praying in the name of Jesus is not a religious formula; it is a key that unlocks heaven’s storehouses of blessings and releases the supernatural power of God into your situation. When you pray in the mighty name of Jesus, believe with unwavering faith that you have what you ask for.
When believers pray in Jesus’ name and their prayers are answered, it brings glory to God as it testifies to His faithfulness, love, and power. The answered prayers serve as a testament to the reality of the relationship between the Father, the Son (Jesus), and the believers.
John 15:16 – You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.
The fruit mentioned in this verse represents the visible evidence of a transformed life that brings glory to God and impacts the world for His kingdom. The fruit of the Spirit, described in Galatians 5:22-23, includes qualities such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Bearing fruit also involves making disciples and helping others grow in their faith. Jesus often emphasized the importance of serving others and meeting their needs, so bearing fruit can involve acts of compassion, kindness and generosity. Be a light in the world, sharing the love of Christ, and influencing others for His kingdom. As you bear fruit and want to do God’s Will, He will give you whatever you ask in the Name of Jesus.
John 16:23-24 – In that day you will not question Me about anything. Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in My name, He will give it to you. Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full.
Glory to God! When we pray in the name of Jesus, we can expect our prayers to be answered and experience overflowing joy!
Abide in Jesus
John 15:7 – If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
This verse is part of Jesus’ teaching on the metaphor of the vine and the branches. He uses this analogy to illustrate the vital connection and dependency that believers have with Him. In this particular verse, Jesus emphasizes the power and privilege of prayer that comes from abiding in Him and His words.
To abide / to remain in Him means to be connected to Him in a personal and ongoing way, being rooted in His love, teachings, and truth. When Jesus says, “my words remain in you,” He emphasizes the significance of internalizing and living out His teachings. It involves embracing and applying His words in our daily lives, allowing them to shape our thoughts, attitudes, and actions.
God desires to answer the prayers of those who abide in Christ and His words because their desires are rooted in His will.
Principles for Effective Prayer
Obey His Commands
1 John 3:22 – And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.
When we align ourselves with God’s will and live in obedience to His commands (to love Him and love our neighbour as yourself), we can have confidence that He will answer our prayers.
Pray according to God’s Will
1 John 5:14 – This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
When we pray in alignment with His purposes and desires and seek His will above our own, we can have confidence that He hears us.
Remember, when you pray in the name of Jesus and base your prayer on what the Bible says, you are praying according to God’s will and aligning yourself with His purposes. You can approach the throne with confidence, knowing that God hears and answers your prayers.
Tap into the power of praying in the name of Jesus. Boldly declare your requests before God, knowing that He is faithful to His promises. Believe that you have received your answer, and watch as heaven moves on your behalf. The ministering angels are bringing the things you asked for, exactely as Hebrews 1:14 says – Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?. In this letter, Paul referred to us, as those who believe and follow Jesus.
God is ready and willing to pour out His blessings upon you as you pray in the name of Jesus. Hallelujah!
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