Part 2: Deep Dive into the Meaning of “Ask” in the Bible
Foundation of Asking in Jesus’ Name
John 14:13-14
“And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.”
“And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.”
“Whatever you will ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you will ask anything in my name, I will do it.”
Context: These verses emphasize the importance of asking in Jesus’ name, signifying that our requests should align with His character and purpose. This foundation assures us that requests made with the right heart and by Jesus’ will are granted, bringing glory to God the Father through the Son.
John 15:7
“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.”
“If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.”
“If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, you will ask whatever you desire, and it will be done for you.”
Context: Here, Jesus ties the act of asking (praying) to a relationship of abiding in Him. Abiding suggests a deep, continual connection with Christ, where His words influence our desires and requests. This connection ensures that our desires align with His will.
John 15:16
“You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.”
“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.”
“You didn’t choose me, but I chose you and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that whatever you will ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you.”
Context: Jesus reminds His followers that they are chosen to bear lasting fruit. The promise of receiving whatever is asked in the Father’s name is linked to this mission of fruitfulness, indicating that our requests should further God’s purposes and reflect our calling.
John 16:23-24
“Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. ‘And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.’”
“And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.”
“In that day you will ask me no questions. Most certainly I tell you, whatever you may ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now, you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be made full.”
Context: Jesus emphasizes that asking in His name is a new privilege granted to His followers, and their joy will be complete through this. This points to a deep, fulfilling relationship with God, where our needs are met, and our happiness is made whole through His provision.
Conditions for Asking: Faith and Righteousness
James 1:5-6
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.”
“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.”
“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, without any doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven by the wind and tossed.”
Context: James highlights that asking should be done in faith, without doubt. This underscores the importance of trusting God’s willingness to provide, particularly in seeking wisdom and other spiritual gifts.
Mark 11:24
“Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.”
“Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”
“Therefore I tell you, all things whatever you pray and ask for, believe that you have received them, and you shall have them.”
Context: This verse reinforces the concept of asking with faith. Belief in receiving the things prayed for is essential, suggesting that faith is a critical component of effective prayer.
1 John 3:22
“And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.”
“And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.”
“So whatever we ask, we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do the things that are pleasing in his sight.”
Context: John emphasizes obedience and living a life pleasing to God as conditions for receiving what we ask. This suggests that our relationship with God and adherence to His commandments are integral to our petitions being granted.
1 John 5:14-15
“Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.”
“And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.”
“This is the boldness which we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he listens to us. And if we know that he listens to us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions which we have asked of him.”
Context: This verse assures that asking according to God’s will is vital. It highlights the confidence believers can have in knowing that God hears and grants requests that align with His divine will.
God’s Knowledge and Provision
Matthew 6:8
“Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.”
“Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.”
“Therefore don’t be like them, for your Father knows what things you need before you ask him.”
Context: Jesus teaches that God knows our needs even before we ask. This underscores God’s omniscience and His readiness to provide for us, encouraging trust in His provision.
Matthew 18:19-20
“Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”
“Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
“Again, assuredly I tell you, that if two of you will agree on earth concerning anything that they will ask, it will be done for them by my Father who is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the middle of them.”
Context: Jesus highlights the power of agreement in prayer, emphasizing the communal aspect of asking and the assurance of His presence when believers come together in His name.
Matthew 21:22
“And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”
“And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.”
“All things, whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”
Context: This verse reiterates the necessity of faith in prayer, echoing the assurance that belief in God’s power to answer prayer is crucial for receiving what we ask.
Broader Implications and Warnings
Luke 6:30-31
“Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.”
“Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.”
“Give to everyone who asks you, and don’t ask him who takes away your goods to give them back again. ‘As you would like people to do to you, do exactly so to them.”
Context: Jesus calls for generosity and a spirit of giving in response to others’ requests. This emphasizes a broader application of the asking principle, encouraging believers to be ready to give and serve.
James 4:2-3
“You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.”
“Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.”
“You lust, and don’t have. You murder and covet, and can’t obtain. You fight and make war. You don’t have, because you don’t ask. You ask, and don’t receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.”
Context: James warns against wrong motives when asking. Requests driven by selfish desires and improper motives are not granted, highlighting the importance of aligning our petitions with God’s will and purposes.
God’s Abundant Provision and Power
Ephesians 3:20-21
“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”
“Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to him be the glory in the assembly and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
Context: Paul’s prayer and doxology emphasize God’s infinite power and capacity to provide far beyond our requests or imaginations. This highlights God’s provision’s limitless potential and the assurance that our asking, seeking, and knocking are met with His abundant and gracious response.
The verses collectively emphasize:
- It is necessary to ask in Jesus’ name and to abide in Him.
- The importance of faith and righteousness in receiving what we ask for.
- God’s awareness of our needs and His willingness to provide even beyond our expectations.
- The broader implications of asking include the call to be generous and mindful of our motives.
By understanding and embracing these principles, believers can confidently approach God, knowing that their requests are heard and that He is faithful to respond with grace and abundance. This holistic approach to asking encourages a deep, trusting relationship with God, where our prayers and desires align with His divine purposes and lead to a fulfilling and fruitful spiritual life.