The promise the Lord gave us in this verse is so simple that we often fail to fulfill its very simplest condition: believing! As the disciples, we have been made perfectly fit to enter the Holiest, to go boldly to the throne of grace (Heb. 10:19, 22; 4:16). And here, the Lord promises that if we pray, believing that we receive what we asked for, we will have it. But maybe because our experience has not always been like that, we quickly try to relativize things and speak of other conditions that must be fulfilled so that our prayers can be answered. These reasonings act as powerful faith-blocking agents, and nothing else is required to receive nothing: “for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord” (Jas. 1:6–7).

Are we asking only because we know it is a good thing for a Christian to ask, but without truly believing? When we say “your will be done,” is it true submission to God’s higher knowledge and wisdom, or only a facade to hide our lack of faith, perseverance, and supplication? If there is anything like this in our hearts, let us bring it readily to the Lord and confess it, and ask for help to fully believe His word: “whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.”

Praying is so effective that our enemy will do everything to keep us from it. Busyness or distractions—smartphones anyone?—are useful to keep us from prayer. When we kneel down, restlessness of mind, pressure of circumstances, or more simply a direct interruption, are other ways to hinder us. Yet, God is still “a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Heb. 11:6).

We have been made fit to enter God’s presence, and we have been assured of receiving if we ask believing we have received it. Let us do just that! And praise God when we obtain it!