An Air-Tight Contract, But Don't Miss the Fine Print

As Jesus approached the end of His mortal ministry, He wanted to strengthen the Apostles for the difficult times ahead of them. Among His comforting words are these promises about prayer: 

And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. 
--John 14:13-14

This is a bold promise of the power of prayer. Ask anything--ANYTHING--in the named of Jesus, and He will do it. And why will He do it? To glorify the Father, to shine the spotlight on God, to show us the limitless power of the Creator and Ruler of the universe. No one but a lunatic or the true Son of God would make such a claim. He offers us the opportunity to put Him to the test, try Him out, see what

happens. Either His word is good, or He is a fraud. So why not try Him? What is there to lose? And if He makes good on His promise, what is there to gain! 

Ah, but there is a qualification, a little piece of fine print that appears in the next chapter. 

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
--John 15:7

Jesus restates His promise, but with an introductory proviso, namely, that we must abide in Him and allow His word to abide in us. In other words, we have to do our best to be obedient, follow Him, and live like He lives. We must not only study His word but internalize it and live it. Then, and only then, is His promise sure and the contract air tight.