"NOW faith is the substance of things hope for, the evidence of things NOT SEEN." Heb. 11:1.
The "NOW" that is written is the "BUT NOW" of Ephesians 2:13. We do not walk by sight NOW, but by faith. Our conversation is in the heavenlies, where Christ is seated by God the Father. We are to look UP, not around, for our faith. This does not mean that God does not answer prayers, or provide miracles NOW. It DOES mean that He performs them according to His will, not our commands. He does not have "healers" that operate in this age of grace. THere is no man that is greater than another in this age. We are all equal and everything that He does is according to His good will and reasons. Not because some man claims God heals through him.
The problems with the name it and claim it theology are many.
For one thing, Jesus qualifies the asking with abiding in Him and His word abiding in us. When we are abiding in Him, then we will know His will, then be able to ask in accordance with it and we WILL see the answer.
The other is that John tells us we need to ask according to HIS will and way too many times, people don’t seek out what God’s will is. They just presume it based on some bad theology.
But this theology of just spewing out pronouncements off the cuff and then trying to twist God’s arm into complying with our demands is that it is tantamount to blackmailing God using His word against Him, to force His hand. I’ve seen too many people who claim what they want to hear or what they think would best glorify God without consulting HIM and then claiming verses out of context to demand God move.
I’ve had more people than I can count, ignorantly - without ANY knowledge of my situation or what I’ve been through, what I’ve tried, what I’ve considered, etc, announce the cause and solution to my problems based on a 5 minute conversation. They are not only doing a disservice to the body of Christ, in some cases, they can just about shipwreck someone’s faith. It can be very damaging to someone who is already suffering and struggling.
The two best responses are *I’ll pray for you* (with no qualifications) and *If there’s anything I can do to help, let me know*. Don’t be condescending, don’t preach, don’t spout platitudes, don’t quote Scripture verses. Don’t pretend you have all the answers, because you don’t and the suffering person knows that. (not you personally smvoice)
God did not give His word and gifts to the church to spend on ourselves but for ministering to others and building up the body of Christ.