“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you.” John 15:7 (CEB).
These are Jesus’ own words, and since He has said it, it is also possible. Most people do not believe that it is possible for them to receive whatever they have prayed for. But if I doubt I go against Jesus’ words.
Removing sin and obeying His word
The condition is that we remain in Jesus and that His words remain (live) in us. It is sin that separates us from God, and that hinders our prayers. (Isaiah 59:1-2.) Then I do not have any power with God. Therefore, all sin that we know about has to be removed from our lives.
“The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” James 5:16 (NLT). David says in Psalm 66:18-19 (GW), “If I had thought about doing anything sinful, the Lord would not have listened [to me]. But God has heard me. He has paid attention to my prayer." Sin in my life stops all further growth and blessing in God, no matter how much I pray. All my prayers will only receive this one answer: Remove sin from your life!
The elders of Israel came and wanted to ask something of the Lord, but He said, “These people want to worship idols... Should I allow them to ask me for help?” Ezekiel 14:3 (NCV). Everything I love outside of God’s will is idolatry and must be removed. All my thoughts must be with Jesus, and His word must live in me. Then I can pray for what I want, and it shall be done for me. What do I want? I want what God wants. God’s will for us is that we will be changed to be like His Son. If this is the longing of my heart, then I can be totally certain that my prayers will be heard.
A deep desire to do the will of God
Perhaps we have so many unheard prayers, but if we think about it carefully, we will find that we have prayed according to our own will. If God had answered those prayers, it would have been bad for us. We can never push our will through with God. Our human will was condemned in Jesus, and it shall also be condemned in us. The Spirit prays for us according to the will of God, not according to our own will.
We will always be disappointed if we seek to do our own will, but we will never be disappointed if we seek to do God's will. We need to be totally surrendered to God so that we always stay in God's plan and leading for our life. We do not always understand God's plan and will, but if it is our heart's desire to remain in His will, He will keep us safe, because He is our good Shepherd and Overseer.
We do not know what we should pray for as we should, but the Spirit prays for us on our behalf. He prays for us according to God's will. (Romans 8:26-27.) We will receive only a little bit from God if our desire to do His will is small. We are praying only empty words that will not reach God’s throne if we do not have this deep desire of the heart when we pray. The desire of Jesus’ heart was so great that it showed itself in His prayers and strong cries. They came unselfishly, pure and clear from the depths of His heart, and He was heard because of His godly fear. (Hebrews 5:7.)
We will be full of joy
We will receive everything we ask for if we only want to have the fear of God and we want nothing outside of Him. He will give us everything we want. We will receive to the same degree that we hunger and thirst after righteousness. He gives us everything that we need to live a godly life.
Therefore, Jesus says that we shall pray, and we will receive, so that we will be full of joy. It is clear that we will be full of joy when we receive everything we want to have. This puts an end to all disappointments, worries, discouragement, etc. We will always be glad and happy. All things work together for our good if we fear God. The necessary earthly things will then be given to us as a gift. But if we seek our own benefit, everything will stand in the way of our plans, and worry, unbelief, and dark clouds of discouragement will roll into our life.
Therefore, become one with God’s will, and you will have found the way to be full of joy – to all the riches and wisdom in God.