“Ask, and it shall be given you”

The devout disciple is often perplexed at the apparent contradiction between promise and experience. The teaching of Jesus is unequivocal- “And all things whatsoever ye ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” Yet who has not prayed unavailingly for the life of one beloved? Who has not sought for the solution of one of life’s problems which persistently eludes the grasp? Continually, the mind is thrown back upon the Lord’s promise: “Ask, and it shall be given you.”

The experience of Jesus in Gethsemane perhaps best illustrates the divine method of fulfilment. “With strong crying and tears,” Jesus prayed that the cup of suffering might pass. He asked what every fibre of human love would have striven to give. It is impossible to believe that the Father’s heart was not wrung at the Son’s agony, yet the answer was not release, but an adjustment of outlook to the divine perspective. His viewpoint, temporarily beclouded by suffering, was cleared by strengthening angels. Before him opened a glorious vista of salvation- of life and joy unspeakable for all his brethren. In the realisation of the ultimate victory of love, he went forward to death unfalteringly.

God did not impose His will on His son; He attuned His Son’s will to His eternal purpose. Thus many prayers are answered, not by giving what our weakness craves, but by bestowing what we really need.

“And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us.”