Message #18 (of 20) from the PrayerPower radio series
"The Deeper Life of Prayer"

by Kaye Johns

It should be, because in John 16 Jesus promised, "In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, My Father will give you whatever you ask in my name...Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete." [John 16:23-24]

This is Jesus’ final teaching on prayer, given to the disciples to whom He was entrusting His church. Five times in John 14-16, He promised that they could have whatever they asked in prayer. In John 16, Jesus points them to "that day," which we now know as Pentecost--that day in which the Holy Spirit would come to indwell believers.

It is because of that day that we are able to live the life that enables us to meet the conditions of the prayer promises Jesus has given--to understand what it is to pray in His name, and to live the abiding life that bears fruit.

Inherent in Jesus’ comment is the truth that if we want the indwelling Spirit’s life to be released to live in and through us, if we want Him to be the Spirit of supplication, the Spirit of prayer in our lives, we must not grieve or quench Him, but give Him the full access He desires in each of us. Then we can anticipate His prayers through us receiving "whatever we ask."

Pray with me now -- Father, what can we say that would even begin to express the gratitude of our hearts for Your Spirit’s life in us? We thank You in Jesus’ name, amen.

ã 1999 PrayerPower Ministries, P.O. Box 1368, Dallas, TX 75380-1368, 1-800-949-PRAY.
May be copied for personal or church use; please include PrayerPower name, address and phone on copies.