Whatever You Ask

Whatever You Ask

And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.

John 14:13

What does Christ mean when he says, “I will do whatever you ask in my name”? I would think he should say, “What you ask the Father in my name, he will do.” But Christ is pointing to himself in this passage. These are peculiar words coming from a human being. How can a mere man make such lofty claims? With these simple words, Christ clearly states that he is the true and almighty God, equal with the Father. For whoever says, “Whatever you ask, I will do,” is saying, “I am God, who can and will give you everything.” Why else should Christians pray in Jesus’ name?

Why do people call on saints as helpers in times of need—Saint George for protection in war, Saint Sebastian for protection from pestilence, and on others for other circumstances—unless they believe that these saints will answer their prayers? But Christ claims this role for himself. In other words, he is saying, “I won’t command others to do whatever you ask for. I will do it myself.”So he is the one who can help in every situation with what we need. He is mightier than the devil, sin, death, the world, and all creation.

No being—whether human or angelic—has ever had or ever will have such power. Christ possesses all of God’s power and strength. Here Christ sums up what we can ask him for in prayer. He doesn’t limit his promise by adding, “That is, only if you ask for gold and silver or for something that other people can give you.” Rather, he says that he will do “whatever you ask.”