We shall now consider something which, in some respects, must be the greatest marvel of all, certainly something which carries the most solemn and practical challenges. We have in mind our Lord's references (in John 14:13,14) to the "ASKINGS" of His people; -"If ye ASK, I will do".

We need to see that, in adding those words, our Great Lord was again "limiting Himself"; -this time restricting what would be His great Ascension Powers to the prayers of His people. Evidently, He plans to do ONLY what His people ASK Him to do! This is gracious self-limitation indeed, and it bespeaks the measureless preciousness of His people to Him, and also shows His inseparable union with them! We repeat, -He plans to do, from the GLORY, only what His people will ask Him to do.

We believe that Christ has held Himself to this principle from the very beginning of the Church age. If we but knew the WHOLE story, we would see that there never has been an activity of our Ascended Lord, towards the consummation of His purpose, without there being, SOMEWHERE BEHIND IT, some praying person, or some group of praying persons. They may have prayed tremblingly in some obscure or hidden place, but it has been PRAYER IN THE NAME, and the Great Ascended Lord has been "freed to move", --mightily!

We ask, then, would we not all do well to pause quietly here and face up to some very serious questions, --such as :--

* What release of our Lord's ascension powers has been brought about through MY prayers? What have
I dared to ask Him to do?
* Have I given to PRAYER the priority it should have?
* What, really is the "level" and "nature" of the praying at OUR church Prayer Meetings?

What is the measure of the "vision" behind those prayers? Are they being linked to the FACT of our Lord's
ascension? Is there any "echo", for instance, of prayers like that in Psalm 45; - "Gird Thy sword upon Thy thigh, O MOST MIGHTY, with Thy glory and THY majesty...ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness" (Psa.45:3,4).

For our comfort and encouragement (and I most certainly include myself), let me say that we do not need to be "prayer-experts" of some kind, -for the promise of John 14 is for those who will simply "believe on Christ" (v.12). That is all that is needed!

O Lord. TEACH US TO PRAY.
O Lord, graciously do Thine own "GREATER WORKS".
Do them today, through whomsoever Thou choosest,
We "ASK", -in Thine own Great Name! Amen. Hallelujah! WE BELIEVE!

Perhaps this is an appropriate time for me to "share around" the words of a song which the Lord put into my heart just recently.

MAKE ME A MAN OF PRAYER

My Father Who in Heaven art
Make me a man of prayer
This longing overwhelms my heart
Make me a man of prayer.

O grant me my petition
Make me a man of prayer
'Tis all my life's ambition
Make me a man of prayer.

While Christ the Lord has power to save
Make me a man of prayer
And lift poor sinners from the grave
Make me a man of prayer.

While men still seek the world's acclaim
Make me a man of prayer
And see no beauty in Christ's Name
Make me a man of prayer.

While churches bear the marks of death
Make me a man of prayer
And lack the Spirit's vital breath
Make me a man of prayer.

While millions lie in awful need
Make me a man of prayer
And few the Master's call will heed
Make me a man of prayer.

While hellish legions hold the field
Make me a man of prayer
And few the Spirit's sword can wield
Make me a man of prayer.

While God's great purposes are sealed
Make me a man of prayer
And Christ the Son is unrevealed
Make me a man of prayer.

Till comes the Bride in spotless white
Make me a man of prayer
All precious in the Saviour's sight
Make me a man of prayer.

While faithful promises still stand
Make me a man of prayer
And faith can move God's Mighty Hand
Make me a man of prayer.

While Christ Himself lives just to pray
Make me a man of prayer
And grants His Spirit day by day
Make me a man of prayer.

(May be sung to the tune of "Near to the heart of God").

"Verily, verily, I say unto you... the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do:
because I go unto My Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in My Name. I will do it" (John 14:12-14).

Note: "Prayer in the Name" is prayer prayed by those who are IN UNION WITH THE LORD. The fact is that, after His ascension, Christ poured out the Holy Spirit, -thereby implanting His own Risen Life into the hearts of those who believe on Him. He thus became the Vital Head of a CORPORATE ORGANISM, -and all who are part of that organism rightly share the NAME of Him Who is its Head. This glorious reality also eliminates all thought of selfish or superficial prayers, as such cannot even exist in an Organism, where a Selfless Christ is the Head and the Life. This is a great secret in the matter of prevailing prayer.

The basic call to the CHRISTIAN, now, is to "DO ALL IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him"
(Col.3: 17). We just ABIDE IN HIM, --by faith