NOW ASK

“Until now you have not asked for anything in My name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” — John 16:24 (NIV)

The other day, while walking and praying, the Holy Spirit interrupted my thoughts with a gentle yet piercing truth: “You have prayed… you have cried… but you have not truly asked in My Name.”

At first, I was stunned. Confused, I asked, “Lord, what do You mean? I always say ‘in Jesus’ Name’ when I pray.” But what He revealed next unlocked something deeper in me: “You declare My title—JESUS—but not My Name.”

That stopped me in my tracks. I felt the presence of God settle around me as He spoke again: “To ask in My Name is to ask in My nature, My character, and My authority.”

The Revelation of His Name

• Nature: When you ask in His name, you must believe that you have already received. Why? Because faith is God’s nature. “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:24)

• Authority: When Jesus spoke, things moved. Storms calmed, demons fled, and fish brought forth gold. That’s the authority in His name. “If you say to this mountain, ‘Be thrown into the sea,’ and do not doubt in your heart… it will be done for you.” (Mark 11:23)

• Character: A Son speaks to a Father with confidence. When you ask in His name, you are standing as a child of God, not a beggar. “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1)

The Lord lovingly showed me that my prayers—though sincere—had been laced with emotional desperation rather than confident asking. I had been hoping, wishing, even guessing… but not asking in faith, from a place of identity.

From Emotion to Expectation

Too often we weep and travail, thinking our tears will move heaven. But the Kingdom responds to faith, not fear. The Holy Spirit asked me, “Are you praying like a child who knows their Father delights in giving good gifts? Or like someone hoping for a miracle they’re not even sure belongs to them?”

And then He said: “Until now, you have not asked in My Name… Ask, so that your joy may be full.” (John 16:24)

Joy doesn’t come from hoping it might happen. Joy comes from knowing it’s already done.

A Call to Bold Asking

From this moment forward, I have decided—I will ask in His Name.

I will no longer merely say “in Jesus’ Name” like a closing signature, but I will pray, decree, and expect through the nature, character, and authority of Jesus Christ.

And now I challenge you to do the same:

• Stop begging. Start asking.

• Stop doubting. Start believing.

• Stop hoping in fear. Start rejoicing in faith.

Your Father is not distant. He’s near. He’s ready. And He’s listening.