SPIRITUAL SUFFERING, STEADFASTNESS OF FAITH: ASKING IN MY NAME
Written by Pastor N. Misigaro Joel; December 8, 2022
Asking Jesus's name is simple, praying in the name that has the authority of accessing the heavenly realm and opening those doors and pouring out the flood gates of rain and blessings. But understand, this is to glorify God, and when going through spiritual suffering. Bear in mind that, since you are feeling the pressure of something and want a quick solution and remedy. Scripture has mention of those who came in prayer, and God heard them. But the answers were not as expected by them.
I can say that an answer is the answer, even if it is no. If it fits in God’s plan, and in this wonderful plan being placed in the waiting room that melts our hearts to find a solution.... More of this would be for our hearts to be in perfect submission and revelation of what God gives us as certain and convenient for the time being.
From all of that, the heart of any believer is required to develop the four qualities: believing, Thanksgiving, Revelation to the father of glory and Confidence.
"Whatever you ask in my name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son." John 14:13
The writer of the Gospel of John wants us to know that Jesus conveying “whatever you ask” this is a very powerful statement. That we put in commitment to God's ability to answer! Jesus reaffirms, to provide a solution. The indication that God is unconditionally committed to acknowledging the prayer requests of His subjects.
This total commitment of God in answering to prayer request for “whatever you ask” if placed in the name that is above all names, “Jesus.” Jesus's promise was that He would do it. But look what is the next prerequisite. “So that the Father glorified in the Son.”
The granting answer to the “whatever you ask in my name” is in glorifying God through Jesus Christ. When Lazarus sisters send a message to Jesus, “behold the one whom you love is sick” (John 11:3). But when Jesus heard it, he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” John 11:4 (ESV)
A. Believing
A believing heart commended in as far as spiritual suffering, removes all doubts, as you would know. That doubt is an element that diminishes God’s power or ability. And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive. Matthew 21:22
Believing is in the view of receiving in advance and in faith, no matter the circumstances. not necessarily that you need to see before you can believe, since “we are not walking by sight, but by faith” (2 Corinthians 5:7)
Spiritually speaking, we do not need to see before we can believe. And Jesus corrections from a similar point of view, for lacking faith.
Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” And Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." John 20:27-29
There is a blessing in believing without seeing. Because it puts the subject of faith into existence, where one hopes for what is not seen yet. (Hebrews 11:1)
B. Thanksgiving
We cannot make demands of God; if we are not ready to be grateful for the life that we enjoy and receive for free from God. Thanksgiving is in recognition of what God is doing for us current and the past. A believer concerns all times, with how he is leading his or her life, and this is part of the sacrifice that is all about “by prayer and supplication,” (what I speak, I confess, what I do and believe if not done in holiness, there is no sacrifice to talk about for thanksgiving).
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God." Philippians 4:6
To “let your request to God” done in faith to glorify God, and seek to worship, giving thanks to God for His provision. We obtain for.
C. Revelation of the Father of glory
If Jesus says that “Whatever you ask in His name”, Heaven will answer. This is the revelation of what faith is like, when all done to glorify God. As you are going through spiritual suffering, all that you foresee and wish for is to be free of pain and suffering. But, at the same time, you are terrified if my situation persists. If this consumes me? Or what if I do not make it?
The revelation of the Father of the Glory, comes in a picture of what God’s ability is. And be aware of all that you are going through. The most important thing is the outcome of your suffering that will determine God’s presence and will remain with you during your difficult times.
Most of the time when struck by awful events, we do not see God’s will in it. We tell ourselves. It is not normal.
Going through suffering, when God's present! Believe it or not, we are and will not be the first ones. Others learned from their spiritual suffering that it was all in God’s plan that what took place was there.
The earlier believer acknowledged God’s way of doing things, that it does not matter whether in joy or suffering, God remains God. And acknowledging that is what the revelation of that glory is about, which is there to make our faith grow greater and to come to the knowledge of Him dearly. “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.” Ephesians 1:17
The Father of glory gives a spirit of wisdom when suffering spiritually, so that you can come to know him personally. Your personal encounters with God through what you are going through, will convict your spirit and mind that surely God, loves and knows me at all costs.
D. Confidence
Confidence here goes with your faith in Christ and what certainty do you have about your relationship with Jesus Christ. Coming to him in prayer! You crave knowing, for sure that he hears and answers. We need to know the prerequisites for answering those who pray.
Are you in a relationship with Christ?
Is Jesus your Lord and Savior?
Are you a born-again Christian?
What is your daily life like?
These three questions above help one to establish whether he or she is dependent on God and have the full conviction of a future life with God. Scripture declares; "This is the confidence which we have before 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 which we have asked from Him." 1 John 5:14-15
As Jeremiah writes, a blessed one is who, for putting your trust in the Lord, and having confidence in him. In suffering the glimpse of endurance, is to hear that God is still ready to bless you. (Jeremiah 17:7).
