When it comes to petitionary prayer, “Do you have the right to ask God for your requests?”
When it comes to prayer, there are different aspects to consider. For example, prayer is mainly about communion with God. At its core, prayer should be a joyful connection with our creator, savior, and friend. But prayer also involves petitionary elements.
In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus encourages us to ask, “Give us today our daily bread.” (Matt. 6:11 NIV) God expects us to “ask” for our needs, even though he already knows them.
Additionally, prayer involves interceding for others. We should be confident in asking!
A few years ago, one of our church members shared with me about his dad, who was diagnosed with cancer in the brain and lungs. The cancer was spreading, and the family was concerned. He shared with his Life Group about his dad’s condition, and they began to pray for him. Soon after, his dad saw the oncologist, and it was discovered that there was no cancer in the brain or lungs! There was just a small trace of cancer still in his hip!
Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever! (Heb. 13:8 NKJV) He is still Savior, healer, and Lord to those who believe!
The Finished Work and Your Authority
Jesus declared: “It is finished” (John 19:30 NKJV).
That means:
• Your salvation is secure
• Your sins are forgiven
• Your healing and provision are available
• And you have been given authority
But here’s the tension: Many believers believe in God… but do not pray as if they have authority.
Let me ask you:
• When you pray, do you expect an answer—or just hope for one?
• Do your prayers sound like confidence… or uncertainty?
• Are you asking from identity, or from insecurity?
Because there is a difference between:
• hoping God might respond
• and knowing He hears and answers
When it comes to petitionary or intercessory prayer, “Do you have the right to ask God for your requests?” A better question might be, “How demanding can you be in prayer?”
Before we answer that, let me ask you something deeper:
• If God said “yes” to every prayer you prayed this week—what would actually change?
• Would your prayers transform anything… or just maintain comfort?
The answer to these questions might surprise you. Let’s use the parable of the vine Jesus gave in John 15 to answer these questions related to prayer.
Jesus, the one true Vine
1 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you[b] will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. John 15:1-8 NKJV
Within Jewish tradition, the vine symbolizes Israel. God brought a vine out of Egypt and planted it in the Promised Land (see Psalm 80:8-18). It had been ravaged by wild animals and needed protection and restoration.
The prophet Isaiah shows that the vineyard of Israel has produced wild grapes instead of good ones (see Isaiah 5). Other Old Testament prophets used the same metaphor to describe Israel as a vine that has been destroyed.
In John’s gospel, Jesus declares that he is the “true vine” or the “true Israel.” He is the one on whom God’s purposes now rest. Furthermore, he implies that his followers are members of God’s true vine or people—if they belong to him and remain “in” him. This parable about the vine pertains to Jesus and his followers.
Jesus concludes the parable about fruitfulness: “By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, so you will be my disciples.” John 15:8 NKJV
Jesus explicitly states that the Father wants His followers to produce fruit, and this fruitfulness should be twofold.
First, it is about developing a Godly character in one’s life, or as Paul describes in Galatians 5, the fruit of the Spirit. Love, joy, peace, gentleness, etc.
Secondly, Christians should bear the fruit of the kingdom of God, such as reaching the lost, freeing people, healing the sick, and making disciples—leading to the expansion of God’s Kingdom.
Let me ask you:
• Is your life producing fruit that others can taste?
• Who is closer to Jesus because of your life?
• What evidence is there that God is working through you?
Appointed to Bear Fruit
A few verses later, Jesus makes this bold statement to his disciples.
“You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.” John 15:16 NKJV
He emphasizes that His disciples should be fruitful and shares three key principles to help us be fruitful in our Christian life.
1st Principle—Know you are Chosen by God
It is essential that you and I recognize that accepting Jesus makes us sons and daughters of God and part of His family. This provides us with security and confidence as we engage in the Father’s work. Additionally, it is fundamental to pray with conviction and assurance that God hears and answers prayer.
John 1:12 NIV “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—” The word “right” implies a legal transaction.
John 3:3 NIV Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” “Again” could be translated from Greek “from above.”
Do you pray like a son/daughter—or like a stranger?
2nd Principle—Know you are Appointed by God
Each of us has been appointed to bear fruit, given an assignment (purpose and destiny) by God that only we can fulfill. Therefore, to help us succeed in our assignment, God has promised to meet every need we have to fulfill our purpose and bear lasting fruit.
You have a divine assignment.
• Do you know what God has called you to do?
• Are your prayers aligned with that assignment?
3rd Principle—Know you are Promised by God.
In this parable, Jesus clearly promises that God will answer prayer as we strive to bear kingdom fruit. We must have a strong belief in God’s faithfulness to answer prayer — He wants us to be fruitful and for our fruit to last!
Simply stated, God wants to answer prayer.
• Do you actually believe God wants to answer you?
• Or do you secretly believe He’s reluctant?
Let’s explore the parable further to understand these truths.
Ask What You Desire
“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” John 15:7 NKJV
Jesus clearly says we should expect answers to our prayers, but there are conditions. I’ve asked quite a few questions already, but this next one is really important and forms the foundation for everything: “Are you abiding in Christ?”
John 15:4 says, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.” NKJV
Here’s the key: Authority in prayer is not automatic—it flows from abiding.
While we are positionally in Christ, united with him in his death, resurrection, and ascension victory (Rom. 6:3-5; Eph. 2:6), remaining in him deepens our relationship with him and strengthens our confidence in prayer.
So let’s be honest and ask:
• Are you abiding in Christ—or just visiting Him occasionally?
• Is your relationship with Jesus your source… or just part of your schedule?
Abide in this verse is translated from the Greek word ménō.
Ménō means primarily to stay in relation, to continue, to remain, to abide, and to endure. a. “to stay in a place,” figuratively “to remain in a sphere,” b. “to stand against opposition,” “to hold out,” “to stand fast,” c. “to stay still,” and d. “to remain,” “to endure,” “to stay in force.” 1
Ménō implies that there is an action required on our part—we are to abide, or remain, endure, or stand fast in the Lord.
But hear this clearly: This is not arrogance—it is confidence rooted in relationship.
Let me challenge you:
• When was the last time you prayed for something that required faith?
• When was the last time you asked God for something that seemed impossible?
We’ve been united with Christ through faith and the work of the Spirit, but we need to stay connected to Christ or be intentional about our relationship with Him.
The depth of your prayer life is revealed through your ongoing relationship with Jesus. All fruitfulness is connected to your intimacy with Christ.
From an intimate relationship with God, your asking becomes one of confident assurance. Staying close to Him builds faith and trust that He will answer your prayers and meet your needs.
Your understanding of God evolves as your mind is renewed. Prayer now flows from intimacy with Jesus, and anticipation of answers naturally follows one’s abiding relationship.
When Someone Prays You Into Destiny
Let me make this real. As a teenager, I was far from God. Broken home. No real understanding of the gospel. But there were women—spiritual mothers—who started praying.
They took a basement that had been used for partying… and turned it into a prayer room. And I remember walking in one morning—hungover, confused—and seeing about 12 women praying. Something felt different.
I didn’t know it then, but I know now: Their prayers were chasing me down!
Let me ask you:
• Who is waiting on the other side of your prayers right now?
• What prodigal is one prayer away from coming home?
Because I’m standing here today because someone refused to stop praying.
When our focus is on Jesus, and we abide in Him, love flows, and promises are fulfilled. All fruitfulness in life comes from remaining in the one true vine.
Call to Action: A Challenge to the Church
1. Commit to Abide Daily
This week:
• Set aside intentional time with Jesus
• Not rushed
• Not distracted
Ask yourself daily: “Am I remaining in Him today?”
2. Identify One Prayer Assignment
Ask the Lord:
• Who should I pray for?
• What situation should I contend for?
Then commit: “I will not stop praying until I see movement.”
The Father is glorified when we bear much fruit!
Next week, I’ll work on this theme and continue with part 2. Do you have the right to ask?
Footnotes
1. Kittel, G., Friedrich, G., & Bromiley, G. W. (1995). Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (581). Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans.
