Philippians 4:6-7. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
God has given us the right to bring our requests before Him when we believe in His Son. Jesus said, “Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete” (John 16:24).
This privilege is not because of anything we have done—nor by our strength, our efforts, or even our godly living—but entirely because of the power of the name of Jesus. A prayer offered in His name is powerful because His name is perfect and complete. The power in prayer comes not from us, but from Christ alone.
When we pray in the name of Jesus, the Holy Spirit begins to work in our lives. Jesus said, “If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:13).
When the Holy Spirit moves in us, the impossible becomes possible, the difficult becomes easy, and best of all, He opens our eyes to understand the gospel. We come to realize that it is not by our effort, but by the Spirit who lives in us, that all things are made possible.
Therefore, the Word of God commands us not to worry but to “be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18). So we wait on the promise of the Father, praying with all perseverance and supplication, trusting what Jesus declared: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
If you are in trouble today, it may be the very moment God is inviting you to be filled with His Spirit. Ask in faith, and you will begin to live a life that testifies to the power of the Holy Spirit.
God has also given us authority over all the forces of darkness. Jesus said, “I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you” (Luke 10:19). When we pray in the name of Jesus, demons flee, as Jesus said, “But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you” (Matthew 12:28).
In the name of Jesus, we must stand against the god of this age who blinds minds so they cannot see the light of the gospel (2 Corinthians 4:4). We must take our stand against the schemes of the devil who works tirelessly to block the spread of God’s truth (Ephesians 6:10).
As watchmen in prayer, we are called to stand guard over our families, churches, workplaces, schools, communities, and nations. As the prophet declared, “I have posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the Lord, give yourselves no rest, and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth” (Isaiah 62:6–7). The devil does not rest—he continues to bring disaster and confusion, for he knows his time is short. Neither should we rest in prayer.
When we cease to pray, the enemy comes and sows weeds among the wheat. Jesus told this parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away” (Matthew 13:24–25). The devil wants us to reap unbelief, envy, greed, ingratitude, failure, and frustration. But we must continue to sow the Word of life and victory, uproot the lies of the enemy, and cancel the attacks of the powers of darkness.
Here is the secret of victorious living in Christ: “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Mark 14:38). Recalling these words of Christ, Peter later echoed this truth in his letter to the scattered believers: “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).
Do not forget to ask God for the help of His angelic armies, for He has promised to send them to serve those who will inherit salvation: “Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?” (Hebrews 1:14).
So ask, as Elisha did. “’Don’t be afraid,’ the prophet answered. ‘Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’ And Elisha prayed, ‘Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.’ Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha” (2 Kings 6:16–17). God will act on your behalf through the ministry of His angels.
You are a precious and honored child of God (Isaiah 43:4). He will remember what you ask in faith and answer you according to His good, pleasing, and perfect will in His perfect time. So keep asking, seeking, and knocking, just as Jesus taught: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7).
Your Father in heaven desires to give you good gifts when you ask—and far more than you could imagine. Listen to what He says to you: “You are my son; today I have become your father. Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession” (Psalm 2:7–8).
Prayer. Father, I thank You for the right to ask anything in Jesus’ name. I know You delight in giving good gifts to Your children. So I will stop worrying and start asking, trusting that You hear me and will answer according to Your perfect will. Thank You for answering my prayer. In Jesus’ name, Amen.