The Secret to Answered Prayers
It’s interesting to note the way the Jesus speaks about prayer. He says:
Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. 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 (John 14:12-14).
I want to emphasize that the first thing He powerfully says is most assuredly I say to you. This is said with the upmost confidence that you can possibly infer. What Jesus is saying is going to happen, and it is the absolute truth (a “timeless truth” in The Passion Translation).
So, the number-one truth that we need to remember is this one: “He who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also.” According to how Jesus started this conversation, it has already been fully accomplished. He also said that even “greater works” than the ones that He did they will do because He went to the Father. Jesus goes on to state, with the same assurance and confidence, that when you ask anything—whatever it is (“whatever” means without any limitations)—Jesus will do it for you so that the Father would be glorified. He then states again, just to emphasize the fact, that if we ask anything in His name He will do it for us. Honestly, these verses only have one prerequisite—to believe in Him.
I have to tell you that meeting Him face to face has changed me. The things that He said now define me. When He’s talking to you and you are looking into His eyes, everything He says works to define you. His words actually go in and burn or imprint an image of Himself in you. This image is imprinted so completely that the impossible becomes possible. If the Creator and Ruler of the universe tells you, “If you believe in Me, you will do the works that I do and even greater works,” and that if you “ask anything in My name” it will be done, then it is not just a matter of hearing Him saying it. It is the very truth that He has burned within you, and it becomes part of you. Then it is no longer just truth; it is a living Word inside of you. I used to have a hard time with faith, which means believing God, until I realized that Jesus Himself confirms everything that was set in Heaven and is written on the earth. His words are not just something you hear; they are something that you eat. They become part of you and grow. Truth can become a reality. This reality is based on a relationship, not on just your position with Him. I may have a position and work for someone, but it is not the same as having a relationship with someone on a personal level. If you work for someone, you may just do what he or she tells you to do and go home every night. You do not become as they are, necessarily, unless you are being mentored in that relationship.
After spending time with Jesus, you find yourself doing the same things that Jesus did when He was on the earth—and even greater things! You find yourself, in prayer, asking because of your relationship and not just your position. This is the importance of visitation first and then praying. Having that fellowship and communion with Him is of far greater importance than most people realize. Prayer results after there is communion and fellowship because the relationship then brings visitation to a new level. It brings the relationship to a point where you easily share intimate secrets with each other. God wants to do anything you ask because of the relationship you have with Him, not just because of your position with Him.
