There is an incredible promise in Matthew 21:22 that can transform how we approach God in prayer: "And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive." At first glance, this scripture might seem like a blank check for whatever we desire. But as we dig deeper into the context of this promise, we begin to see that it’s not simply about asking—it’s about faith, trust, and aligning our hearts with God’s will.
When Jesus said these words, He was teaching His disciples the importance of faith in prayer. Hebrews 11:6 tells us, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” Our prayers must be filled with faith, not just in the act of asking, but in the God we are praying to. Do we truly believe that God is able to answer? Do we trust that His answer—whether yes, no, or wait—will always be for our good?
1. Prayer and Faith Go Hand in Hand
Prayer is not simply a ritual; it is an act of communion with God, where we bring our needs, desires, and burdens before Him. But without faith, prayer loses its power. In James 1:6, we are encouraged to “ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.” When we pray, we must pray with confidence, not in our ability to get what we want, but in God’s ability to answer according to His perfect plan.
There’s a reason Jesus emphasized believing in this passage. Faith unlocks the door to God's supernatural provision. Jesus said in Mark 11:24, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” He wasn’t telling us to demand things of God like He’s a genie but to pray with a deep trust that our Heavenly Father knows exactly what we need.
2. Aligning Our Prayers with God’s Will
When we think about asking and receiving in prayer, it’s essential to remember that our requests should align with God’s will. 1 John 5:14 says, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” The power of our prayers comes not from the strength of our desires but from our willingness to surrender those desires to God’s perfect will.
Often, we may ask for things in prayer that we believe are good for us, but God sees the bigger picture. He knows what we truly need, and sometimes His answer is different from what we expect. When we pray, we should ask God to align our hearts with His, seeking His will above all.
3. Trusting God’s Timing and Response
One of the challenges we face when asking in prayer is waiting for God’s response. It can be easy to get discouraged when we don’t see immediate results. But God’s timing is always perfect. Isaiah 55:8-9 reminds us, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” We might not always understand why God’s answer looks different than what we imagined or why it seems delayed, but we can trust that He is working for our good.
When we pray believing, we trust that God is in control, even when the outcome is different from what we hoped for. Romans 8:28 assures us that “in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Whether we see the answer immediately or have to wait, God is always faithful to hear us and respond in a way that fulfills His purposes.
4. Believing in God's Power, Not Our Own
Another important aspect of this scripture is that it shifts the focus from our ability to receive to God’s power to provide. Ephesians 3:20 says, “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.” When we pray, we are tapping into the limitless power of God, not just our own limited vision of what we think we need.
God is not only able to meet our needs—He is able to exceed our expectations. But we must come to Him with the right heart, praying in faith, and trusting His plan, even when it doesn’t look like our own. Matthew 6:33 gives us this vital instruction: “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” When we put God’s will first, He takes care of everything else.
Pray Boldly, Trust Fully
As believers, we are called to pray boldly, believing in God’s power and goodness. Matthew 7:7-8 encourages us, “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.” God wants us to come to Him with our needs, our hopes, and our dreams, trusting Him with the outcome.
As you pray, believe not just in the answer but in the One who is answering. Let your faith be anchored in God’s character and His promises, knowing that He is always faithful. Trust that whatever you ask in prayer, and believing, you will receive according to His perfect will and timing.
May your prayers be filled with faith and trust in the One who hears every word.
