At the start of his farewell discourse, Jesus urged his disciples to ask what they wanted, and it would be given, that the Father might be glorified (John 14:13). These petitions would cover the building up of the Church and evangelistic activities, because Jesus wants many to enter the fellowship of Trinitarian love. So he exhorted us, "Seek God’s Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you". Jesus promises that God answers prayers for heavenly as well as earthly goods, yet the heavenlies have priority over earthly matters.
What are your questions and the requests of your heart? Do you need money, health and success? Do you ask for a link between you and others? Do doubts regarding God’s existence and mercy assail you? Do you feel an emptiness by the Spirit’s absence from your life? Do you feel the burden of guilt and are you suffering because of trials, disasters and afflictions? Do you tremble because of evil spirits? Do you await Christ’s coming and the spread of his Reign of peace? What questions trouble your soul, spirit and body? Are you superficial or profound? An optimist or a pessimist? Are your feelings quickly hurt? Do you ask your Lord for the filling of the Holy Spirit?
Make each of your problems a matter for prayer. Open your heart to your heavenly Father. But do not babble in prayer, but think carefully about what you are to say. Think first of the gifts and talents Jesus has already granted you, and thank him for them. Thanksgiving befits us. Then confess your sins, because lack of faith, love grown cold and slender hope are failings before God. Ask for pardon for sins confessed, and ask him to show you what he desires from you, so that you may not ask for harmful things. Ask for his grace and trust him to hear you. Never forget that God is love, and wishes to bless others too. Intercede for your friends and enemies that God may bless them with the selfsame grace. You are not the only needy sufferer. All people share in this fate. Offer your questions boldly and in full directly to Christ, and weave a garland of thanksgiving and confession round your problems and your request on behalf of others. You will then learn the secret of true prayer in Jesus’ name.
Genuine prayer is to converse with God in supplication, thanksgiving and worship. Do not be elaborate in such converse, using ringing expressions. Say what you think in all simplicity as you would address a parent. The publican in the temple was justified, when he whispered, "Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner". The heavenly Father raised Lazarus from death, when Christ prayed simply to revive Lazarus. It is faith that gains salvation, help and success. Be bold and pray to God by grace, boldness and thanksgiving. You are called His child, speak joyfully as a child, hide nothing from Him.
Christ desires to bestow joy on you, not primarily as response to your prayer, but for the privilege of your audience with God and His Son. What is more important to you, the gift or the Giver? The Lord gives you fullness, but remember that He is fullness. Jesus wants our joy to be full. Joy increased in us when we realized that Jesus answers our prayers, we who are deficient. He has blessed others and saved them through our prayers. Our joy will become exultation, when we see Jesus coming in the clouds of heaven. Then our joy will be unutterable. Will Christ’s spectacular coming be the most important theme of your prayers?