In this identity with Him we know together the sweetness of His Presence. But one final condition should be understood.

III. That for which we ask must be believed.

Here is real faith, the confidence that prayer will be answered.

Jesus repeats this assurance many times: "If you abide in Me, and My Words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done" (Jn. 15:7). "Whatsoever you shall ask the Father in My Name, He will give it to you" (Jn. 16:23). "Whatsoever you shall ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive" (Mt. 21:22).

The promise is that if we ask in concert with the will of God, we know that the request is granted (I Jn. 5:14-15). Such certainty is shattering to much of our devotional exercise that we call prayer. We may even think that it is presumption to affirm that God gives what we ask for. After all, we reason, fellowship with Christ should mean more to us than the gift for which we seek. And does not finally God know what is best for us?

This notion possibly may reflect a sense of humility, but strangely, it is not emphasized in the teachings of Christ. In fact, the more we ponder the words of our Lord, the clearer it becomes that He desires prayer to be more than fellowship. Prayer is the means of His blessing.

This is not to say that all prayer in His Name will be answered immediately, for He may want to teach us greater trust and patience in the delay. Nor are we to assume that the answers will come in the way we envision. The Father in heaven knows our situation, and He will respond to our cry from His understanding of our real need.

How easy it is for us, for example, to ask deliverance from a painful experience, either caused by our own doing or endured vicariously for another. Yet the agony may remain, even increase, for God may want to help us learn obedience through the suffering. So He answers by conforming us to the likeness of His Son, permitting the anguish to continue, but giving us a measure of His inner peace that nothing can destroy.

I expect that this deep submissiveness is most pronounced in intercessory prayer, where the will of others enters into the travail. How God moves in respect to His own created image in people directing the course of the universe without destroying human freedom, is a mystery within His Sovereignty. But of this we can be sure: when we leave the choice with God, He answers prayer for our good and His glory.

What unspeakable joy! A confidence multiplied as persons believe together.

During the weighty Welsh outpouring early in this century, a curious visitor asked in one of the meetings if someone would tell him the secret of the movement. Instantly Evan Roberts was on his feet, and lifting his hand to heaven, answered: "There is no secret. Ask, and you shall receive!"

Indeed, that is the explanation. When people are living in the flow of the Spirit, believing prayer becomes the order of the day, and revival its natural expression.

What do you believe God for today? Not what you ask, but what do you expect that He will answer? This may well disclose our faith -- and our likeness to Christ. Yet it may also urge us to rise to a higher life in the fullness of His Spirit.

Think of the potential, the unlimited vistas of prayer open to us! "If two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them by My Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My Name, there am I in the midst of them" (Mt. 18:19-20).