Can answers to prayer be guaranteed?

The closest thing in the Bible to guaranteed answers to prayer appears in Jesus’ word to his disciples the night before the cross:

“And I will do whatever your ask in my name…” (John 14:13 NIV).

That’s an amazing promise, yet Jesus restates it again four more times—in 14:14, 15:7, 15:16 & 16:23.

So this concept—praying in his name—meant a great deal to Jesus, and then to his disciples.

The first description of a healing performed by the disciples comes in Acts 3:6. where Peter said to the beggar, “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”

When the healing happened, Peter described it as happening “By faith in the name of Jesus… It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing…” (Acts 3:16 NIV).

It seems clear that remarkable things happen when Jesus’ disciples pray in his name.

So, what does that mean?

A name is a verbal tag, a container for all the attributes and authority belonging to a person or situation.

Think about what these names represent: dynamite, nuclear bomb, Hitler, Viet Nam, Iraq, Billy Graham, President Bush, Paris Hilton, General Motors, Mother Teresa, etc.

Each name represents a whole complex of ideas and associations.

If someone has accomplished great things, he or she has “a name” and can gain access to high places. If someone or some institution has authority, things are done in its "name".

Like an ambassador representing a government, we believers can speak in our Lord’s name… on his behalf… with his authority. And we can pray to the Father as if we are Jesus doing the praying.

If we “remain in him and his word remains in us” we can ask whatever we wish and it will be done.

Amazing.