1 John 3:22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
”Ask and you will receive.” The command to pray and the promise to receive what we ask of Him is given to us to embolden and encourage us to believe God answers our prayers. This is a bit of a touchy subject, for it appears in our experience that some of our prayers are not answered, at least not in the way and time that we wanted. But will we believe our experience or God’s promise?
The ”whatsoever” should mean anything, but it is limited to anything ”according to His will” as revealed in the Word. So we pray ”Thy will be done,” and it will be. We surrender to the will of God, for it is always good and gracious. The Lord says in James 4:2, ”ye have not, because ye ask not.” So ask! Yet He goes on to say in v. 3, ”Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.” Our own selfish will may conflict with God’s will. Therefore, we are in ongoing conversation with the Lord sorting out our two opposing wills.
In this promise, the condition is ”keeping his commandments and doing pleasing things.” We don’t keep His commandments, but Jesus kept them for us. So we pray by faith ”in Jesus’ name.” By repentance and faith in the gospel we keep His commandments and receive whatsoever we ask.