There are several places in these chapters where Jesus tells the disciples to ask for things. Each instance gives us clues concerning what should be the topic of our request.
Yesterday we read the first instance in John 14:13. We are to ask for things that Jesus would ask for. He also limits our requests to things that will glorify God. "that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in my name, I will do it."
Some say that means we will receive anything we ask for in Jesus name regardless of what we ask. That God is glorified in the sheer fact that he gives us what we pray for, I.e. any object or circumstance. Yet I feel confident they would not say we should ask or that we would receive what we asked if we asked for someone to be murdered.
They would undoubtedly reply, "That is ridiculous." They would say that the request would be against God's word and God's nature. And that, my friend, is the point. Our requests need to be aligned with God's purposes and intents. Prayer is not a wishing well. It is communion with God.
