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      "Prayer Requests"
      John 16:23-24
      Theme: Our joy is made full as we experience God’s willing response to our prayers.

        1. The Discernment Essential to Prayer – 16:23a

          1. The Priority Placed on Discernment in Prayer

            1. Having clearly unfolded the realities of the powerful ministry of the Holy Spirit to represent Him to the Church after Jesus’ departure, He now shares the extent of the Spirit’s role.
            2. The disciples had been repeatedly confused about Jesus’ teachings – even to the point of embarrassment that they were consistently unable to "get" what He was saying. They couldn’t understand:
              1. … the prophecy re: Elijah – Mark 9:11
              2. … why they couldn’t cast out a demon – Mark 9:28
              3. … the prophecy re: Christ’s passion & resurrection – Mark 9:32
              4. … the teaching re: divorce – Mark 10:10
              5. … the teaching re: the end of the age – Mark 13:3
              6. … the parable of the sower – Luke 8:9
              7. … the cause of a handicap – John 9:2
              8. … the continued presence of Christ by the Holy Spirit – John 16:17-18
              9. … the identity of Christ – John 21:12
            3. However, in referring to the influence of the Holy Spirit – who would "guide them into all the truth" (v. 13), they would not have the need to ask Jesus anything – "And in that day you will ask Me no question."
            4. Jesus raises this issue because of the discussion He wants to have with them regarding prayer – something that depends on the ability of the believer to know the mind of Christ = "to pray in Jesus name." – John 14:13-14
              1. To pray in Jesus name essentially means two things:
                1. We approach God the Father on the basis of the merits of Christ alone – we come because Christ has opened the way for us through His blood – cp. Hebrews 10:19-20
                2. We approach God the Father about things that are in harmony with what He has revealed about His will through Christ – Hebrews 1:1-2
              2. Thus, to pray in Jesus name is not a mantra or magic formula but is the essence of the request itself.
            5. The issue, then, is how can the disciples – who were so constantly confused about the teachings of Christ – hope to be able to possess any confidence whatsoever that they had the ability to pray in such a manner?

          2. The Promise of the Provision of Discernment in Prayer

            1. Jesus indicates here that it is because of the ministry of the Spirit that guides them into all the truth that they will be able to make requests that are consistent with His purposes and plan
              1. The Spirit is clearly the one who enables us to understand the mind of God – cp. 1 Corinthians 2:10-12
              2. The more we revel in the Spirit, delighting in God as the great satisfaction of our souls – the more of God’s way of thinking we apprehend – cp. Psalm 37:4-5
              3. On those occasions when we do not have the ability to discern what God desires, we are able to trust God’s Spirit to take our heart’s cries, sanctify them, and bring them to the Father in ways that are appropriate – cp. Romans 8:26-27
            2. Jesus teaches us here that the discernment needed for effectual prayer is provided by the ministry of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
            3. Thus, the disciples would "ask [Him] no question" because of the effective ministry of the Holy Spirit providing them the discernment needed.

        2. The Disposition Eager for Prayer – 16:23b

          1. The Proviso of God’s Disposition to Answer Prayer

            1. When this day of discernment comes, access to the Father will be open and free.
            2. God will not in any way begrudgingly permit men to approach Him – He will welcome men who are saved through faith in Jesus Christ to approach Him in prayer.
            3. Thus, Jesus states, "Truly, truly, I say to you, if you shall ask the Father for anything, He will give it to you in My name."
              1. The term used for "ask" in this verse (aiteo) is different from the word used above (erotao).
                1. "erotao" refers to a familiar entreaty – as from a peer to a peer..
                2. "aiteo" refers to a lowly petition – from an inferior to a superior who would be benevolent (this term is never used by Christ when He prays)
              2. Thus, it is emphasized that we are able to make petitions of God - who is far greater than we - because of the privilege of our position in Christ – cp. Romans 8:11-15.
            4. Thus, the stipulation that provides us entry, and disposes God’s heart to respond to our petitions, is the ability to come "in Christ" – as a person who has been reconciled to God through the redemption in His name – cp. 2 Corinthians 5:17 .

          2. The Purpose of God’s Disposition to Answer Prayer

            1. Notice that in response, God "will give it to you in My name."
            2. It is interesting that not only is the petition offered by us in Jesus name, but God’s response to us is also in Jesus’ name!
            3. That is, He responds to us for Jesus’ sake – so that He might be glorified – cp. John 14:14
            4. God is satisfied in Jesus alone – and when we approach Him in Christ, He responds to us as though He is responding to Christ.
            5. In essence with every response of God to our petitions, He underscores His satisfaction with the sacrifice of Christ for our sins – that indeed, access to Him is open through Jesus’ atoning work.
            6. Therefore, what would the Father withhold from the Son in whom He is totally delighted? – God’s disposition is one of complete devotion to Him – cp. Matthew 7:7-11.

        3. The Disbursement Evoked by Prayer – 16:24

          1. The Privilege Available to Those Who Pray

            1. Jesus confirms that what He is describing is a brand new privilege – that it is something that the disciples had never had the opportunity to do: "Until now you have asked for nothing in My name …"
            2. The reason for this is that redemption was not yet accomplished and reconciliation to God was not yet complete.
            3. Although the Old Testament saints were able to pray, the openness to the throne of God was not as free as after Jesus provided the atonement.
              1. Notice the immediate impact of Jesus’ death when the symbol of sin’s separating us from God was dramatically removed – Matthew 27:51
              2. Hence our access to God is provided strictly through Jesus Christ – cp. Ephesians 2:18
              3. This access is now thrown open for men to approach God through Christ with confidence – Hebrews 4:14-16
            4. Now Jesus commands His disciples to actively exercise the ability to seek the glory of Christ in their daily approach to God: "… ask, and you will receive."
            5. If Jesus indicates that the Father will respond to those who come to Him in Jesus’ name so as to glorify Christ in the eyes of men, ought not those who are seeking the glory of Christ to pray this glory down from heaven?
            6. This is the privilege of those who pray – to see in the answers to our prayers the glory of Christ manifest as the "kingdom comes, thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven." – cp. Matthew 6:10

          2. The Prize Afforded to Those Who Pray
            1. This is, in essence, the great joy of the true believer – that their lives and activity result in the glory of God – "… that your joy may be made full."
            2. The fullness of our joy is not in the specific issue being prayed about – whether it be relief from distress of one kind or another, the provision of a financial need, or blessing spiritually – although there is certainly joy to be known in that.
            3. Rather, it is the ability to enjoy the glory of Christ manifest as the Father honors His Son in response to our prayers.
            4. The greatest good attained by any man is to participate in the realization of God’s glory:

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