John 14 invites followers of Jesus to step into the life and work that He modelled—works that reflect God’s heart for people. While we often think of miracles as the “greater things,” Scripture also highlights Jesus’ quieter acts of compassion: seeking out those on the margins, restoring the broken, defending the vulnerable, and offering grace where others offered judgment. Stories like Zacchaeus and the woman caught in adultery remind us that the work of God is most often found in mercy, justice, and genuine connection with those others might overlook.

Jesus also teaches that prayer is central to living out this calling. But many struggle with the gap between what Scripture promises—“ask in my name and I will do it”—and personal experience. Yet asking is not a sign of weakness; it is an act of trust. Asking acknowledges our need, our vulnerability, and our belief that God is able and willing to respond. When we choose not to ask—whether out of pride, fear, or hesitation—we often close off opportunities for God to work through us and through others.

To ask “in Jesus’ name” is far more than adding a phrase to the end of a prayer. In biblical thought, a name represents the character, nature, and essence of a person. Praying in Jesus’ name means aligning our requests with who He is—His holiness, His love, His justice, His mercy, and His goodness. It is praying with the posture of the Lord’s Prayer: Your kingdom come, Your will be done. As we grow in this alignment, our prayers echo God’s heart, and our confidence in asking deepens.

Jesus invites us to ask boldly, trust deeply, and live in a way that reflects His nature to the world.