Upper Room Discourse, Part 2

Whatever you ask in My name I will do it that the Father may be glorified.  John 14:13 (abridged)

Welcome to Monday! Elizabeth Baker with a word of encouragement for writers, and considering the importance of our task that is something we often need. When Christians take up word-craft we frequently find work influencing others. The responsibility can be a heavy mantle, especially when we find ourselves questioning our own spiritual walk. This is never more true than when we face the reality of “unanswered” prayers.

Before He went away, Jesus gave the astounding promise that we could ask anything we wanted—anything—in His name and He would do it. He even told us why He would grant our desires; because doing so would glorify the Father.

I know very few Christians who have not puzzled over this verse and some have fallen as they claimed what they believe to be a clear promise from Jesus, yet did not receive the thing they asked. I certainly don’t have the complete answers to this mystery, but a small light began to glimmer when I read the verse using a different name for God.

Jesus said, “If you have seen me, you have seen the Father.” Looking at Jesus—knowing how He acted, what He said and how He felt—showed humanity the unseen God. It was probably the clearest picture of the Father He could give, but it wasn’t the only one. He also said “God is Spirit” [1] and later His closest earthly friend taught us, “God is love.” [2] All of these words and examples help us wrap our mind around a Being who is in truth beyond comprehension.

Because Jesus said His motive for offering such latitude in prayer was to glorify His Father, focusing on motive rather than specific requests may help bring us peace when prayers are not answered in the way we expected.

 I don’t think we stretch the meaning of this verse too far when we insert other scriptural words for “Father.” Although the technique is not without limitation, the Father is God, and God is love. For better understanding, the verse might be read, Whatever you ask,…I will do it that Ultimate Love may be glorified.

How could prayer— especially “unanswered” prayer—glorify (exalt, lift up) Love? The scenarios are not as difficult to imagine as one might think.

We show (lift up) love’s patience [3] when we don’t immediately receive what we ask but keep believing. We experience love’s humility [3] when we ask rather than demand and leave the final decision to our God. We demonstrate the selfless nature of love when we allow His choice to be first [4] and love’s trust is displayed to angels, our own heart, and a doubting world [5] when we refuse to accuse God of being unfair [4] simply because we don’t understand.

John began his memories of Jesus’ last hours but saying, “Having love His own who were in the world, He [Jesus] loved them to the end.” [6] Love was the reason for Calvary [7] and ultimate, pure, perfect love is a reflection of the nature of God. When Jesus answers our requests, yes, God’s love for us is glorified (exalted, lifted up) and when He answers our requests, no or wait, our love for God that Divinity has birthed in our hearts is shown to a skeptical world.

Writers exert influence. Even when our words are meant to entertain or sell a product, they communicate a world view and value system we can’t hide. Not to mention our personal sphere of influence among family, friends and church acquaintance. As we struggle with our own faith in the middle of this responsibility, it can be good to remember we are demonstrating and teaching Love even when we don’t understand our “unanswered” prayers.

[1] John 4:24; [2] I John 4:8; [3] I Corinthians 13:4; [4] I Corinthians 13:5; [5] I Corinthians 4:9; [6] John 13:1; [7] John 3:16

Comments

[Heather Marsten]

Excellent post. Our pastor teaches that when we ask in Jesus' name, we are asking as a steward - knowing our Master's wishes and asking in accord with them. If we know Jesus, are doing His will, and ask in His name it will be honored. God is not required to bless anything that is outside of His perfect will for our lives, nor is He required to bless what is contrary to His Word.

You are right about the responsibility of a writer. I am struggling with that right now. My memoir is one that details some pretty graphic scenes and time in the occult - I need to share enough of that to convince those I'm trying to reach that I've experienced those things, but at the same time not too much. And I need to be careful how I share the salvation message. In my writers' class I recently attended were many non-Christians and atheists. I thought I would end my story when I said the salvation prayer - they said, "That's candy for Christians," but what about all your other readers that have been following you through abuse and the occult. I am not a fence sitter, and I want the salvation message out, but not at the expense of souls. Years ago, if someone was heavy-handed in the salvation message, I would have turned them off. It is hard knowing the right balance. So I'm rewriting earlier chapters and praying about the end.

Have a blessed day, thanks for your thought-provoking message.

Heather

[Eliabeth Baker]

What an excellent response, Heather! You are right about the balance and "candy for Christians". It is hard to always know an effective way to present the gospel. My comfort has been a deep reliance on the Spirit. If the reader is ready to hear the gospel, I'm convince I could almost read a telephone book and have the message come across.I pray our Father gives you just the right balance and your critique group wisdom to provide good feedback.