What will God give me?

My wife says I am needy- She is right. Oh by that she means I am needy in terms of her time, her presence, being engaged with her- wanting to have deep conversation and undivided attention. Again- she is right!

Truthfully, my neediness goes far beyond those things- to depths of my own spiritual poverty and abject weakness. I am truly a Man in need of a Saviour on every possible level.

John 16:23-24 Jesus said,"I tell you the truth, My Father will give you whatever you ask in My Name. Until now you have not asked for anything in My Name. Ask and you will receive and your Joy will be complete."

So what does all this mean- this asking in the Name of Jesus? Are these the magic words we can throw on the end of our prayers and somehow obligate God to come through? I don't think so.

A man is known by his name- In a sense, when I hear a name and I know the person, immediately impressions based on that knowlege rise up in me. I have a sense of the man's character- who he is- really. On the other hand if I don't know the man I have no impression - the name means nothing to me. Maybe asking in the name of Jesus is somehow dependent on knowing Jesus- Intimately- Personally.

So then, maybe this business of asking in Jesus Name is at it's core, really an invitation to get to know Him.

In all this- some would accuse me of watering down the power of asking in His Name. They might say that My faith is weak and I am just looking for an excuse to cover that up. They might say if I really beleived I would boldly ask specifically for what I want and God would come through because of my faith. I will be the first to admit that my faith is not stong enough- I cry out with the man in Mark 9 who brought his son for healing

"Jesus, I do believe- Help me to overcome my unbelief."

There is power in Jesus Name. There is power in Prayer- asking in Jesus Name- I believe that with all my heart. He will give me what I ask in His Name- that is in accordance with the Father's Will- those things that will bring the Father Glory- Express the Father's Character- and to the extent that I am in touch with the Heart of God- that I know Jesus- that I am united to His Heart- I will be able to ask in His Name.

Lord God Almighty, I ask in the name of Jesus that You give me Courage to overcome fear. I ask that You give me Wisdom that I might know Your Will- what is the right thing to do or say in all my dealings in this life. I ask that You give me a will to follow You more closely. I ask that You make Love and Truth and Justice the marks of my Life. I ask that You come against my enemy the Devil and all his work and plans and demons that attack me and my family. I ask that You be at work in Julie and Rebecca and Matthew's lives to bring each of their hearts to be united to Your own Great Heart. In the name of Jesus I ask that You increase my Faith- my Trust in You. Do this Lord God, please do these things by supernatural means and natural means. Father, give me opportunities to be Courageous and Wise, but please Lord, beyond these opportunities rise up in me to actually be Courageous and Wise. I am needy- I need Your salvation in all these things. I do believe- help me overcome my unbelief. In the name of Jesus I pray all these things. Amen