What does Matthew 21:22 mean?
“If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.””
Quick answer
‘If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer’—Jesus calls for confident, believing prayer.
What it means
Jesus teaches that faith-filled prayer is powerful and effective, encouraging trust in God’s ability to act.
Read with the rest of Scripture, ‘whatever you ask’ is shaped by praying in line with God’s will, not a blank check for any desire.
Common questions
Does this mean I get anything I ask for?
It calls for believing prayer, but Scripture as a whole frames such prayer within God’s will—not a guarantee of every personal wish.
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Original BibleDawn explanation · reviewed 2026-06. Drafted with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy.