Recently I read Esther 9:11-15. Here we find the king calling for Esther so that he could let her know the number of men, desiring to attack the Jews, which had been killed. He then asked her what more he could grant to her she.
Esther boldly asked for a repeat of the attacks the next day.
But she prefaces her request with saying, “If it pleases the king” (verse 13).
Even while asking, she shows him respect, only wanting to ask for what he would be willing to grant.
This reminded me of John 14:12-13:
“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father” (NLT).
Dr. Warren Wiersbe explains in the Wiersbe Study Bible commentary:
“This is not a magic formula that we automatically attach to our prayer requests, guaranteeing that God will answer. To ask anything of the Father, in the name of Jesus, means that we ask what Jesus would ask, what would please Him, and what would bring Him glory by furthering His work…. God is not giving us cart blanche … God answers prayer in order to honor His name. Any request that does not glorify God’s name should not be asked in His name.”
These are the prayers from a heart that recognizes God as superior and rests in being dependent on God.
“True prayer is neither a mere mental exercise nor a vocal performance. It is far deeper than that – it is a spiritual transaction with the Creator of Heaven and Earth.” (Charles Spurgeon)
We need our hearts to be aligned with His heart, His will,
and His purposes as we pray and seek Him.
These are the prayers the Father answers.
Today I am joining… Let’s Have Coffee and Woman to Woman and Recharge Wednesday .
