Whose Prayers Does God Answer?
And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.
Listen to the "Verse by Verse" episode covering this scripture.
Jesus Christ said, “If you ask anything in My name, I will do it” (John 14:14). That sounds like a blanket promise that could be easily abused. But John clarifies in 1 John 3:22 what Christ meant and why He could say that. His followers would, by definition, be those who strive to obey God’s commandments and to please God. Christians must seek God’s will and so must pray according to God’s will.
It only makes sense. Why would God act like a genie and give us things that wouldn’t be good for us? Why would He reward disobedience to His perfect laws? He wouldn’t.
He wants His followers to learn His will and to ask according to His will. Then He can give “whatever we ask” at the time that He knows is best for us in His eternal plan.
For more about His commandments and pleasing Him, see “The 10 Commandments for Today” and “How to Please God.”
