Prayer is not a formula

35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” 36 And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” 37 And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” 38 Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” 39 And they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized, 40 but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” 41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John. 42 And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

James and John’s approach seems a bit presumptuous at first glance. “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” That’s pretty bold, but upon further reflection, Jesus often encouraged his disciples to pray that way (Matthew 21:22, Mark 11:24, John 11:22, 14:13, 15:7, 16:23). If we treat Jesus' words like a formula, then whatever James and John ask for, they will get, right? But it’s not a formula.

They ask to sit at Jesus’ right and left when he reigns in glory. But, instead of granting their request, Jesus tells them they have no clue what they are asking for, and it’s not his place to grant. What happened to the “whatever you ask” mantra? It’s not a mantra, and it’s not a formula. Jesus’ promise presumes that whatever we ask will be for our good and his glory. James and John prove that sometimes what we ask for does not line up with our greater good or God's glory.

Jesus is not a genie who grants us whatever our hearts desire. He is a savior who invites us into a covenant relationship with him, a king who calls us to advance his kingdom. James and John wanted to be great without understanding greatness. They thought it was about rank and status. Jesus taught them greatness is about service and sacrifice.

Go to Jesus and ask whatever you wish, but allow him to speak to the legitimacy of your request. Like James and John, he may want to teach you something, too.