Do not let the phrase “in Jesus’ name” make you imagine that God the Father has a storeroom that can be opened with a single password: “in Jesus’ name.” As if like the story of Ali Baba opening a treasure hoard with the word “abracadabra.” In the past, when we used the name of the Lord Jesus, it meant we glorified, relied on, and honored that name. But now often the opposite happens: the Lord’s name is dishonored. Therefore, if we are spiritually mature, we must no longer use that phrase carelessly. Don’t assume God wants to show His power, goodness, mercy, or wealth to us simply because He said, “Ask ….” God is indeed a Person who certainly responds to prayer; He may respond. But understand that responding to prayer does not always mean granting every request.
In the past, we may have done all-night prayer meetings, even twice a week, to move God to grant our petitions. We hoped God would look down from heaven—seeing us exhausted from fasting—and be moved with compassion, immediately answering all our requests. But that is not the character of the God we worship. Perhaps those prayers were answered when we were still children in faith. Now we must grow to maturity. We must also understand that God upholds the laws of nature. If we are sick because we cannot control our eating habits, then we must change our diet and lifestyle. Do not casually invoke the story of the woman with twelve years of bleeding who was healed when she touched Jesus’ garment. Remember that was the garment of the Lord Jesus, not an ordinary person’s cloak.
“Ask, and it will be given.” The word “given” in the original text is dothēsetai, from the root didōmi, meaning “will be given,” not genēsetai or ginomai, which mean “will be permitted” or “will happen.” If one does not pay attention to the original language, one can misunderstand this verse, especially when it is linked to Luke 18, which tells of a widow who kept coming to a corrupt judge—morning, noon, and night—until her petition was granted. This is often understood to mean that every request will be granted if we persist in asking. But not everything we ask will be permitted; however, every prayer is certainly answered. Interestingly, when Scripture speaks of answered prayer, it often uses the word “heard” (eisakouō), which does not always mean “granted.” So, when it says God hears prayer, it means He takes the prayer into account, but that does not always mean He grants our request, although He will surely respond. Therefore, understand that what God gives may not be the same as what we ask for.
“Seek, and you will find.” Why does the Lord say “seek”? This indicates a struggle to discover something, as if something is lost or must be found. But what we seek is not our own will, but the Father’s will. In presenting our petitions to God, we are called to seek His will; thus, prayer is essentially a dialogue. God cannot grant a request that conflicts with His will. Even in the preceding verse, the Lord said, “Do not give what is holy to dogs, nor cast your pearls before swine.” The question for all of us is: are we worthy to receive the good from the Lord?
If today God prospers our business and we become wealthy, what will we do? The reality is that many Christians drift away from God as they grow richer. One thing to remember is that God will not violate His own laws. If we are diligent and honest, in principle, we will be provided for. But if we are diligent and honest and still not provided for, God surely has a reason for allowing it. God is not unwise, and He does not break His own laws.