The rarest prayer promise in the Bible

“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” - John 15:7 NKJV                                                        

Armin Gesswein called it, “The rarest prayer promise in the Bible” – the words of Jesus spoken in the Upper Room: “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you” (John 15:7 NASB). The word that Jesus used means more than just casually asking for something. The actual meaning of the word He used means, “to ask or request; to require,” or “to demand”.

Asking and demanding are on the opposite ends of emotional intensity. So the question needs to be asked, “Is it valid to demand things from God?” After all, who are we to be so blunt and forceful with a Sovereign God who is in control of the universe?

There are two conditions attached to this great promise, and these remove any ambiguity as to what Jesus meant: Abiding in Christ and letting His Word remain in you. Abiding in Christ means “to live, or dwell, to continue,” or simply “to remain” in Him. It embraces a relationship of obedience, of fellowship, of being in touch, of walking with Him. The second part means that God’s Word dwells in your heart and life. You aren’t a casual, Sunday-only Christian. You are serious with God and strive to let His Word provide guidance for life and living.

Then, says Jesus, God honors your prayers, and you see direct answers because you are His child and He is your Father. Prayer doesn’t change God’s mind, it changes ours; and when we pray as Jesus instructed, we sense what God wants and pray intensely. Yes, you could even suggest we demand what He wants and wills – and it happens.