If you abide in me, and my words abide in you,
ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
Apart from the hyperbolic nature of it, on face value this verse seems to reflect a quid pro quo mindset - the idea that God will answer my prayer if I just act the way He wants me too. I think that, at the heart of it, this verse says little to me about quid pro quo. In reality this verse speaks to me of knowing God and understanding His will. In reality abiding in Christ is all about knowing God and understanding how to pray in accord with His revealed will.
I think that one who knows God will never make prayer about silly things like expensive cars and getting rich. To know God is to know His will and how to pray in accordance with it. Where it gets complicated is when we try to understand His will with regard to things like the healing of a difficult illness. In matters such as this it is best to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal His will to us. And sometimes all we can do is pray Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done.
Your will is enough Lord. Teach me to pray in accordance with it.
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