Straight From Azalea Avenue

STRAIGHT FROM AZALEA AVENUE

Jane was very specific in each prayer she offered to God. Her “This Is What I’m Asking You For, Jesus” list contained detailed information about each person or item that she had written on her list.

One night following her “In Jesus’ Name, Amen”, she paused for a moment and then added the message: “Lord, these requests come directly to You from Azalea Avenue, Savannah, Georgia!”

It would be interesting to know exactly what was on Jane’s prayer list. But it really does not matter. What we do know is that whatever was on her list was asked for “In Jesus’ Name.”

When Jesus said that we could “ask for anything in my name” we must never forget that our “asking” must be consistent with the character of God and will of God. We cannot expect God to grant our requests if they are contrary to who we know He is.

We know without any doubt that our God is a holy God and a righteous God and a loving God and a giving God who cared so much that He sent His only Son into the world to die for us and become our Savior and Lord. Certainly when we consider these four basic characteristics of God, we realize that they lead to a significant fact about our God: He is unselfish. A simple way to evaluate each of our requests is to ask: Is this prayer to glorify me or God?

Prayer: Father, we know that You want us to have the desires of our hearts. Help us understand Your will so that our requests will be consistent with Your Name. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: John 14:13-14 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.