11:24a

Therefore I tell you: The Greek expression that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Therefore I tell you introduces the lesson to be learned from 11:23. Jesus’ example in 11:23 is the basis for what he told his disciples in 11:24. In other words, God will do great things for those who trust him (11:23). That is the reason that they should believe when they pray. Then they will receive what they ask God for (11:24).

Here are some other ways to translate this expression:

That is why I tell you (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
For this reason I tell you (NET Bible)

whatever you ask for in prayer: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as whatever you ask for in prayer is literally “everything that you pray and ask.” There are two ways to understand the use of the two verbs “pray” and “ask”:

(1) The two verbs are expressing one action: praying, that is, “asking God in prayer.” For example, the Contemporary English Version says:

Everything you ask for in prayer

(Berean Standard Bible, Contemporary English Version, New International Version, Revised Standard Version, English Standard Version, King James Version, Revised English Bible, God’s Word, New Living Translation, New Century Version)

(2) The two verbs are expressing two different actions: praying and asking. For example, the New Jerusalem Bible says:

everything you ask and pray for

(New Jerusalem Bible, Good News Bible, New American Standard Bible, NET Bible, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

Most English versions follow interpretation (1), and it is recommended that you do so. You may need to express this with only one verb in your translation. For example:

whatever you pray for (God’s Word)
-or-
everything you ask/beg God for
-or-
everything you request from God

11:24b

believe that you have received it:

There is a textual issue here. (1) Some Greek manuscripts use a form of the verb
receive that implies a past action. For example, the Good News Bible says: “believe that you have received it” (Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Good News Bible, Revised Standard Version, English Standard Version, NET Bible, New American Standard Bible, Revised English Bible, God’s Word, New Living Translation, New Century Version, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English). (2) Other Greek manuscripts use a form of the verb receive that implies a present action. For example, the King James Version says: “believe that ye receive [them]” (King James Version). Whether the verb is in the past or the present tense, it may be difficult to understand this phrase unless it is translated using the future tense.) The clause believe that you have received it is a command. It is also a condition. If a person believes…(11:24b), then he will receive (11:24c). This is similar to what Jesus said in 11:23d–e.

The form of the Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as have received often refers to an event in the past. In this context many scholars think that it refers to believing that a future event is certain to happen. Use a natural way in your language to express this. For example:

believe that you will certainly receive it
-or-
believe that you are sure to receive it
-or-
believe that God has already granted your request

believe: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as believe is the same word as in 11:23e. Translate it here as you did there. See believe, Meaning 3, in the Glossary.

11:24c

and it will be yours: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as and it will be yours is literally “and it will be for you.” This is very similar to 11:23f. If possible, use the same expression here that you used in 11:23f.

and: As in 11:23f, 11:24c shows the result of meeting the conditions in the previous clauses. You may need to connect 11:24c to what precedes with a word that introduces a result, such as “then,” rather than and.

it will be yours: You may need to make explicit that God will answer the prayer and give what is asked for. For example:

God will give it to you.

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