In that day you will no longer ask Me anything. Truly, truly, I tell you, whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you. Until now you have not asked for anything in My name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.
John 16:23 and 24
BSB
Read John 16 in a modern translation BSB
Read the whole chapter (John 16)
Straight to the Father
John uses two different verbs for ask here. Many interpreters read the first as asking a question, and the second as asking for something. By that day he means the time after his resurrection, when they see him again. Then, says Jesus, you won't need to ask me for explanations any more. But you may ask the Father for anything.
Until then the disciples had taken their questions to Jesus. Soon they could go straight to the Father. And Jesus names the purpose: that your joy may be full. For him, prayer is neither a duty nor a panic button. It belongs to being glad.
Question for today
Do I pray mainly when things go wrong, or also because it makes me glad?
Prayer
Father, I can come straight to you, in the name of Jesus. Teach me to pray out of joy, not only in need. Amen.
My prayer
With your own thought · only on this deviceOne of the 491 words of Jesus on this site, from the temple to Revelation. See all the words in order →