Burger King Jesus.

I believe that prayer has the power to move mountains. I have seen it change hopeless situations, heal broken bodies, restore ruined relationships and so much more. I have also seen saints struggle after believing with all of their hearts for God to intervene in their situation and seeing nothing happen or worse. Why does God answer some prayers and seemingly leave others unattended? Is He too busy, or possibly playing some sick cosmic game with our lives? I am convinced otherwise. 

1. God has a purpose.
2. He is Sovereign.

His Word tells us that He knows the end from the beginning and that He had a plan for our lives before we were ever conceived. The problem is that we want what we want, when we want it, with a smile, hold the mayo with extra pickles and yes I would like that King sized all for $4.99 plus tax. 

Matthew 7 tells us that we can... "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."  But if you are asking for the wrong thing, seeking in the wrong place and knocking on the wrong door God loves us enough to patiently wait. He sees the big picture and orchestrates all things within His masterful plan for our ultimate good.

So what did Jesus mean when He said, "You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it." in John 14? I suggest it has everything to do with what He prayed in Luke 22 when He prayed, "not my will, but yours be done." The secret to having your prayers answered is praying according to God's will and not our own. I know it seems basic and obvious but then why don't we do it more often? It's because even though we call Him Lord we like to call the shots from time to time. Asking for something 'in Jesus Name' is not a magic spell we tag onto the end of our proverbial wish list. We might as well just finish with 'abracadabra amen'! It is literally praying for those things that line up with who he He and what He wants. Is it possible if we spent more time focusing on that, seeking His heart and His plans, that our prayers would become exponentially more powerful? Not only possible but probable and more profitable!