GLORIFYING GOD THROUGH PRAYER
You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. (John 14:13, NLT)
The chief goal of Jesus, and thus the chief goal of our lives, is to glorify the Father. Jesus consistently said that bringing glory to the Father was His number one purpose. And, it follows, that He would say something to us like He does in John chapter 14.
Again we see this great promise, “You can ask anything in my name, and I will do it!” We love that promise! We have seen it all throughout this journey of 21 days in prayer. And here again we get a glimpse into the purpose behind the promise. And as we understand the purpose behind the promise we can better learn how to pray.
Jesus said that the chief purpose of prayer is so that the Son can bring glory to the Father.
When we pray in Jesus’ name, and God hears and answers our prayer, the answer came because that prayer could bring glory to the Father.
Jesus said things like, “I don't seek my own honor, I seek the honor of the One who sent me.”
In his prayer in John 17 he prayed, “Father glorify the Son so that the Son may glorify you.”
If we are being honest with ourselves, the main reason we pray is self-interest. We call out to God and ask for His help so that we can receive what we desperately need. We know that He loves us. We know that He has invited us to pray. We know that we can come to Him in prayer. Yet, if we are truthful with ourselves, our main desire in prayer is not to give glory to the Father, but to receive the answer we so desperately desire or need.
Jesus’ greatest desire was to glorify the Father. Is this our greatest desire?
When we come to our prayer closet, do we approach the Lord with a desire to glorify the Father?
Or, do we come in hopes that He will grant us the desires of our heart?
This is a profound question that we must think deeply about. Is our prayer life shaped by a desire to glorify God the Father?
I think our honest answer might be -- 'sometimes.' I think that deep down inside of us we do desire to glorify God. We do desire that the name of God would be lifted up in our lives and that others would see a display of God's glory and power. I believe that desire is at the heart of every Christian. Yet at the same time, we must admit that there are many days -- or weeks -- where our prayer life is filled with requests that come out of our mouths yet those requests have not passed through the filter of a desire to bring glory to God.
Let's resolve to ask God for anything with a deep and honest desire to see God glorified through the answer he gives to us.
What is God saying to me today?
My Prayer List:
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Personal Prayer:
Father, I confess that so many of my prayers are really about me. I am asking out of habit with little or no thought given to giving the glory to You. Teach me Lord, to pray prayers that will bring You glory. Help me to learn how to bring glory to You as You answer my prayers. Father, may You be glorified in my prayer life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.