The theme of NAC India’s 2019 calendar is “Prayer”. The monthly calendar texts are based on a doctrinal article by Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider which was published in the community member magazine 04/2018 (starts on page 20). This prayer series explores and elaborates on each month’s topic.
“If you ask anything in My name, I will do it” – these words of Jesus are quite familiar. But what do they mean exactly? What kinds of things can we ask of Him? The Chief Apostle clarifies: “We can ask Him for the same things that He asked of the Father.”
Prayers in Harmony with Jesus
Jesus prayed that Peter’s faith would not become weak (Luke 22:32). “If we ask the Lord for a strong faith, He will give it to us because that is exactly what He is also praying for, on your and my behalf”, says the Chief Apostle.
We can pray in accordance with the example of Jesus: “Lord, Your will be done.” This is not always easy, “but it signifies that we have resolved to remain faithful no matter what comes our way. Then Jesus will help us.”
To ask for something in the name of Jesus also implies that we ask Him for grace. “If we ask for grace in humbleness, repentance and willingness to forgive, He will grant it unto us. He, likewise prays for this on our behalf” (1 John 2: 1).
“If we pray sincerely for unity within the congregation, Jesus will grant it unto us. “After all, He prays exactly the same for us, namely oneness among those who believe in Him through the Apostles” (John 17: 20-21).
When we ask Him, “Please shorten the time and come soon,” He will fulfill our plea, because He is pleading for the very same thing (Revelation 22:20).
The Chief Apostle’s conclusion: “If we pray in harmony with these five points, we will always be praying in Jesus’ name. And He will respond to us.”
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