The limits of prayer

What do you think you can ask God for in prayer? Is there anything off-limits? Is there anything too big? Is there anything too small?

For many Christians, prayer is one of those optional extras. It’s something we fit in now and then. And it seems we’re especially good at saying a quick prayer like this when things aren’t going so well:

Oh, God, please help! Oh God, please stop the pain! Oh God, when are you finally going to show up?

Sound familiar?

Imagine that someone you love only talks to you when they’re in trouble. That wouldn’t make for much of a relationship now, would it?

Sometimes, I wonder if we don’t have a completely wrong understanding of prayer. Because the only sort of prayer that the Bible teaches us about is the sort that has powerful results.

Now, when you think of it that way, you have to ask yourself this: So, why do I keep on banging my head against a brick wall? What’s the matter with me that I only go to God when I’m in trouble?

Jesus told us, “Stay joined together with me and follow my teachings. If you do this, you can ask for anything you want, and it will be given to you” (John 15:7 ERV). 

When we hang close to Jesus, when we abide in Him and stay joined together with Him, what happens naturally is that we follow His teachings. We end up wanting what He wants. And under those circumstances, at any point, you can ask for anything you want, and it will be given to you.

Imagine if you lived your life as though that were true.

Life application questions

• When are you most likely to pray: in good times or bad? What do you typically pray for?


• Read John 15:7. What is one step you can take today to begin building a more confident, dynamic prayer life that helps you consciously spend time in God’s presence?


• What do you think Jesus means when He says, “Ask for anything you want, and it will be given to you”? 


• What does it look like for you to “hang close” to Jesus and abide in Him a little more day by day?