The word “ask” is just a simple three letter word, and is always an action word, requesting information about something or someone. Mr. Webster gives us this definition- to call on for an answer, to put a question about, to make a request, to seek information, to make ones wants known, or merely the statement of the desire, request implies greater formality and courtesy and the expectation of an affirmative response.
But what does the Bible say about this word in the New Testament? According to my Strongs Concordance it uses six different Greek words to define this simple word.
154- aiteo- to ask, beg, call for, crave, desire, require- used 38 times
523- apaites- to demand back, require- used 1 time
1338- dilkneomai- to reach through, penetrate, to pierce- used 1 time
1905- eperotao- to ask for, inquire, seek, demand, desire, question- used 8 times
2065- erotao- to interrogate, to request, ask, beseech, desire, intreat, pray- used 11 times
4441- punthanomai- ascertain by inquiring as a matter of information, request a favor, search for something hidden, to learn- used 2 times
Since this is a biblical study, I am using the word aiteo for this study on asking God for something in Jesus name. The scriptures that I am using today are from the New Testament, KJV. In John 16:23-24, Jesus is explaining to his disciples that up to this time they have requested nothing in his name, they are to beseech and desire as they pray and they shall obtain whatever they desire, that they may have exceeding gladness and calm delight in their lives here and now.
This did not just mean them, it is for all those who believe on his name. This is a life lesson for each of us! The Bible is more than a history book, it is our manual for life on this earth as Gods children. It is His spoken word to us in print, on this word you are secure as you believe it, and live according to it.
Here is Mr. Ellicotts commentary on verse 24- “ask and you shall receive, that your joy may be full- the future is thought of as already present, and they are directed to ask. As though they had already entered into the new region of spiritual life. The pangs of the present travailing are passing away. The fullness of joy is already at hand”
The disciples were not born again believers at this time, they were still fallen men, but they were believers on Jesus as the Messiah, and they were following him as their teacher and leader. Jesus is explaining to them about joy, but not necessarily happiness, which is dependent on circumstances, but joy can birth happiness.
God is not telling us that He will give us everything we ask for. But, He is telling us that He will give us the things that are good for us and that line up with His will ( Bible) for us. As parents we do not always give our children what they ask for, but we will give them the things we see as necessary and good for them also. God has the advantage over us as He sees our hidden desires and knows how we think. But He will give us our desires that line up with His plans for us every time.
There is a lot of commentary on the internet about this verse, some good, and some not so good. I want to make a few comments here about this promise and another one Jesus spoke in John 14:13-14- “and whatsoever you ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask any thing in my name, I will do it.”
Here Jesus is not promising his disciples that they could ask for just anything, but rather he is telling them to ask in his name. In other words he is instructing them to pray according to the will of God just as he did while on the earth. To pray in Jesus name is using his authority to accomplish the will of God for you as you minister life to yourself or for another person.
Doing the will of God is our purpose for life on this planet, interceding on the behalf of another to bring about Gods perfect will. If you want another scripture to prove this, you need to read 1 John 5:14-15, “and this is the confidence we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us, and if we know that He hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him.”
Our request always have to be according to Gods will, anything less is not asking in faith. Romans 14:23 tells us that anything asked for that is not in faith is sin. Once you know the will of God on any particular subject, then you can ask in faith knowing you will get what you have asked for. We are supposed to be living in another realm as children of God, just as Jesus did while he walked the earth.
When you ask for anything from God it must meet this criteria:
1-Will of God
2-Ask in Faith
3- Believe you have it now as you pray.
If these three are met, then you can know it will come to pass according to these scriptures I have used. If you do not do all three, then it will not. It has to be according to the word of God, and if you do not know His will on whatever you asked for, then you cannot ask in faith! When you ask in faith knowing the will of God, then you can believe it will come to pass. You will get what you need as you need it. Philippians 4:19 states that “my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
You will get what you need, not want, as you need it. Once again I hope these few words I have written to you will help you keep in the race and finish on time without interruption from the world as it tries to dazzle you with its many distractions. Remember, you will make it, just don’t give up. See you next time as we study Gods word together.
In His Service As Kilted Priest
The Kilted Priest 