In Jesus’ Name
“And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.” John 14.13, 14
“And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.” John 14.13, 14
Some years ago, following one of our morning church services, a sincere member approached me and politely rebuked me for how I had prayed to close the service. In closing my prayer, I had used the phrase “For Jesus’s sake” rather than “In Jesus name.”
There seems to be a misunderstanding of the term “In Jesus name.” Sometimes John 14.13 is misquoted and fragmented by applying the first part without the qualifying prepositional phrase. A faulty interpretation will lead to insecurity and doubting. How do we explain unanswered prayer – even when we add “In Jesus name” to the end of our prayer time. What answer do we give to the children of a dying mother who are gathered around asking God to preserve her life – “In Jesus name”?
“In Jesus’ name” is not a magical incantation evoking miracles from a miracle worker. It is, in fact, an identification of relationship. Closely associated with this directive from our Lord to His disciples was His prayer in the garden to His Father, “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” (Matthew 26.39ff) After praying for deliverance, Jesus submitted to the pre-ordained plan of redemption through His sacrifice. His submission to the Father’s will quickly came: “O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.” (Matthew 26.42ff)
Praying in Jesus’ name indicates that the prayer is prayed with the understanding of how our desires and prayers fit into His sovereign will. This means praying with the authority, character, and alignment of Jesus, seeking what He desires rather than selfish wishes. The ultimate purpose of the answered prayer is to bring honor and glory to God the Father through the Son.
“In Jesus’ name” invokes the will of God which places His will above our own – essentially removing our will completely and yielding to the perfect will of God. With that in mind, when we pray we should probably first pray for clarity and understanding from God so we will be rightly aligned with His purpose. Then, we can pray with full confidence that our prayer is one that will bring glory to the One to whom it is due.
There seems to be a misunderstanding of the term “In Jesus name.” Sometimes John 14.13 is misquoted and fragmented by applying the first part without the qualifying prepositional phrase. A faulty interpretation will lead to insecurity and doubting. How do we explain unanswered prayer – even when we add “In Jesus name” to the end of our prayer time. What answer do we give to the children of a dying mother who are gathered around asking God to preserve her life – “In Jesus name”?
“In Jesus’ name” is not a magical incantation evoking miracles from a miracle worker. It is, in fact, an identification of relationship. Closely associated with this directive from our Lord to His disciples was His prayer in the garden to His Father, “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” (Matthew 26.39ff) After praying for deliverance, Jesus submitted to the pre-ordained plan of redemption through His sacrifice. His submission to the Father’s will quickly came: “O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.” (Matthew 26.42ff)
Praying in Jesus’ name indicates that the prayer is prayed with the understanding of how our desires and prayers fit into His sovereign will. This means praying with the authority, character, and alignment of Jesus, seeking what He desires rather than selfish wishes. The ultimate purpose of the answered prayer is to bring honor and glory to God the Father through the Son.
“In Jesus’ name” invokes the will of God which places His will above our own – essentially removing our will completely and yielding to the perfect will of God. With that in mind, when we pray we should probably first pray for clarity and understanding from God so we will be rightly aligned with His purpose. Then, we can pray with full confidence that our prayer is one that will bring glory to the One to whom it is due.
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