John 14:14

Foundational Verse “His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort (Twist) as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.” 2 Peter 3:16

Misused Verse “You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” John 14:14

How to ‘Untwist’ the interpretation of this verse Understand the context Interpret scripture with other scriptures Apply what we learned 

Understanding the Context “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” John 14:12

Understanding the Context Prayer is Godward, not Inward “And I will do whatever you ask in my name.” John 14:13a ...so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” John 14:13b Prayer is Godward, not Inward

Interpreting Scripture with Scripture Prayers are hindered because of bad relationships “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” Mark 11:25

Interpreting Scripture with Scripture “Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.” 1 Peter 3:7

Interpreting Scripture with Scripture Prayers are hindered because of bad motives “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” James 4:3

Prayers are hindered because of doubt Interpreting Scripture with Scripture Prayers are hindered because of doubt “Have faith in God!” Mark 11:22 “But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.” James 1:6-7  

Interpreting Scripture with Scripture Prayers are based on God's will “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us whatever we ask we know that we have what we asked of him.” John 5:14-15

Practice Godward Prayers Application Practice Godward Prayers Write a list of people who are far from God and pray for them Pray for those who mistreat you Pray that this community has an experience with God

Application DON’T GIVE UP!