 |
|
|
|
|
 |
||||
Please open a Bible to the place where it is written, "If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it." When we pray, why do we end with the phrase, "In Jesus' name, Amen?" What does it mean to pray in Jesus' name? In the text above, from John 14:14, Jesus said He would do
anything that we ask in His name. That is a promise we can take to the bank. But what does it mean to ask something in Jesus' name? If it means tacking the phrase, "In Jesus' name, Amen," on at the end of a prayer,
then every prayer with this phrase tacked on at the end obligates Jesus Christ to fulfill His promise and do as we ask. Have you ever had such a prayer unanswered? I have. Praying in Jesus' name either means something else or Jesus
Christ does not keep His Word. Take your pick. It is interesting to note that the phrase "In Jesus' Name" never occurs in the Bible. The phrase "name of Jesus" never occurs in the context of a prayer… not once. Clearly, this is not the intent of Jesus Christ, tacking on such a phrase at the end of our prayers. He means something else. Dare we think
about this for a moment? What could it possibly mean to ask for something in the name of Jesus Christ? Suppose we ask for something in the name of our father, our earthly father. Might it mean to ask on his
behalf, as if it were he himself asking for what we ask? Might it be as his representative, and in accordance with his will, and for His pleasure? Certainly, this is a reasonable meaning to perceive.
This is consistent with other sufficient conditions of answered prayer, such as, "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: and if we know that he hear us,
whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him." (1 John 5:14-15) Asking in Jesus' name is asking in accordance with His will. Only that which is according to God's will can be done
on His behalf. Only His purpose can be asked in Jesus' name. When you pray, first stop to think about what is pleasing to Jesus Christ. Do not pray just to please men, or to please yourself. What is His pleasure?
Ask Him to show you His way in the matter before you pray, as you pray. The concept of applying Jesus' name extends well beyond prayer. "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God and the Father by him." (Colossians 3:17) Everything you say must be said in Jesus' name. Everything you do must be done in Jesus' name. You must only speak as He would speak, you must only do as He would do.
This is His command. Nothing else is acceptable. Everything else is sin. You are not your own. You are bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. (1 Cor 6:19-20) |
||||