I can.
It is possible.
But … should I?
Is it best?
Using the New Testament’s prayer promises … a Believer in Christ almost has “carte blanche” in the area of prayer. Within the confines of God’s Will, of course. Jesus in John 14:14. “If ye shall ask ANY THING in my name, I will do it.”
But, Oh, the Wisdom earnest prayer requires!
Here’s part of Romans 8:26, to explain. “The Holy Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us.” We do not (often) know!
And while many, many areas of prayer are “lawful,” all may not be “expedient!” Quoting or borrowing Paul’s adjectives from 1st Corinthians 6:12.
Now, as promised … to Jesus!
At the very moment our Saviour was being arrested, about the time Peter was unsheathing his sword, Jesus said: “Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than TWELVE LEGIONS of angels?” Matthew 26:53, He could have prayed for such a dramatic rescue! And He, no doubt, would have received it.
But Jesus knew that was not “best,” not “expedient” for the salvation of lost souls! Not “best” for the fulfillment of Bible Prophecy either!
Listen to what He said next: “But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?” What a Lord we serve!
The request for angels would not have been wrong, not a sin at all. But it was not asked … due to a greater need!
Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer gives another such occasion. He, pleading with His Father voices: “I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.” John 17:15
Yes, He could pray for our immediate transport to Heaven, at the very moment of salvation, should He so desire. Read the verse again! But … He better thought, “they need to be in the world” (to witness to the lost, to glorify my Father in the presence of darkness) … so I will ask that they “be kept” (protected) from the evil (one), from the Devil! Still “in” the world … but not “overcome” by the world!
He again refused one possibility in order to embrace a better outcome!
In each of these two foregoing cases, Jesus discerned the Father’s PERFECT WILL, and acquiesced to Such! Listen … God’s Will is not something prohibitive! Not something punitive!
God is Wise, is Wisdom Itself!
He KNOWS what is best … for us, for the world, for all creation!
Here’s the apex of all Prayer, its very highest point … “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. THY WILL BE DONE …” Matthew 6:9-10, truly the Lord’s Prayer!
A clear-cut NO from God, based on His always-what’s-best Will … is kinder and wiser and sweeter (eventually) that a YES would have been from anyone else!
Wow!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell