Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. — John 14:13-14 (CSB)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. — Galatians 5:22-23 (CSB)
Last time I talked about having faith for today but realizing that God wants us to continue living in faith even if we don’t see the miraculous that we’ve been praying for.
We’ve got just enough blessing and trial to push us into trusting God.
So what do we do with Jesus’ words in John 14?
Asking God in Jesus’ name isn’t a magic formula or a trite ending to every prayer. Instead it’s asking God for what is on his own heart. It’s like asking that God’s will would be done as Jesus modeled in the Lord’s Prayer.
I absolutely love pulling this trick! It’s the best way to pray prayers that get answered.
I pray for things that I know God wants to do like give me the fruit of the Spirit in my life.
When I pray for love, joy, peace, patience and all the rest it’s good for my heart, my humility and my outlook on life. God goes to work in life helping me to rely on him for that fruit.
And as much as we shouldn’t necessarily expect that thunder boom response to our prayers I talked about last time I think that we can expect this sort of miracle.
Really, a miracle? Yep, when I am frustrated and tired the Spirit can give me peace and patience. That is miraculous!
So, let’s pray. Let’s ask God for what’s on his heart. Let’s ask him to give us his Spirit and the fruit that comes with it.