“Whatever you ask for in prayer with Faith, you will receive.”
~ Jesus (Matthew 21:22)

 

Remember first & foremost that – at least as far as Jesus was concerned – we can only truly receive things that are in harmony with The Way of Christ; a Way that can only pray “in his name” (i.e. that can only pray for opportunities to serve others, never for any benefit to self — see Luke 11:9, John 14:13-14, John 15:7, John 16:23-24 et al), and a Way which is based fully in serving, never in being served (see Matthew 16:28, Matthew 20:28, John 13:15-17 et al) …

Indeed, this is an interpretation that resonates with the over-arching context of Jesus’ ministry in general, as well as the specific context of Matthew 21 (where Jesus is seen preparing for his pre-planned triumphant entry into Jerusalem – the precursor event to his pre-planned crucifixion; the greatest embodiment of his teachings on willing self-sacrifice).

 

Remember as well here that for Jesus “Faith” was a verb that is steeped solely in Loving others self-sacrificially (see John 14:12 & Matthew 5:43-48 & Matthew 25:35-40 et al).

 

And finally, please remember that prayer for Jesus was not a vehicle used to ask for any self-benefit, but rather was a time of reflective solitude (Matthew 6:5-6) when one re-affirmed one’s intention to do God’s will (see Matthew 6:10, Matthew 7:21-26 & Luke 9:23, along with the “thy will not mine” of Matthew 26:39, Mark 14:36 & Luke 22:42).

 

Amen … Let it be so.

 

Filed under: My Favorite Verses by Scaughdt