His power does “far more abundantly than all that we ask or think,” and it is “at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20). As our Mediator, Christ opens the flood gates for the Father’s love (John 16:27). He unleashes astounding power that moves mountains.
And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” (Mark 11:22-24). M
“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 the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are 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!” (Matthew 7:7-11).
Christ made these sweeping promises to His first disciples. Yet He deliberately chose wording – “anyone” and “everyone who asks” – that widens the promise to all His disciples. As true followers, disciples avoid sinful habits that “hinder” effective prayer.12 Disciples try to use prayer for God’s will, not for their own.13 God honors such believing, obedient children by giving “anything” and “whatever” they ask for in prayer!
… and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him (1 John 3:22). M
And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him (1 John 5:14-15). M
12. Hindered prayers: 1 Peter 3:7 cf. 1 Peter 3:12; James 4:3; Matthew 5:1-18; Mark 11:25; Proverbs 28:9; Psalm 66:18
13. Luke 22:42 cf. James 4:3,15 What about matters that are not clearly revealed? For example, a disciple wonders which young lady to marry. How does he ask about something like that? First, he prays within the framework of faith, that is, in line with what he knows of God’s will, 1 John 5:14. God’s will teaches him to choose a believer who will prove a suitable helper in reaching God’s goals, 2 Corinthians 5:9; 6:14-18; 1 Corinthians 7:39 cf. Genesis 2:18; Deuteronomy 7:3; 1 Kings 11:2; Nehemiah 13:23-27. Suppose several Christian women meet these qualifications. The man prays for wisdom, assured that God gives it, James 1:5 cf. Proverbs 2:6; 1 Kings 3:12; Daniel 2:21. Suppose he prefers one lady above the others. In humble wisdom he admits he does not know God’s will directly about this lady. Like Jesus, he prays, “not as I will, but as You will” Matthew 26:39. With such an attitude the disciple can always approach God confidently. The result will always be the wisest and best, for God certainly honors prayer that honors Him. In this way, the disciple receives whatever he wishes, for he asks in faith within faith’s framework. See the example in Genesis 24.