Young People's Group

ASK IN MY NAME

by Pastor Mitch
January 30, 2011

The Challenge To Pray In The Name Of Jesus

The name of Jesus should be to us something most precious. It represents all that the Lord Jesus is to us. One significant teaching concerning His name is with reference to prayer. Some Christians often use the name of Jesus in a formulaic way as they pray.

We must not see the Lord’s name as such. Jesus’ name is the Biblical basis for our confidence in having access to God in prayer. It is based on the virtues of who the Lord Jesus is and what He has done that we even have this privilege of going to God in prayer. The Lord Jesus taught His disciples to pray in His name.

“And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.” 
John 14:13-14

Our Saviour had taught His disciples how to pray (Matthew 7:7). We are to learn to ask in absolute confidence in the Lord. In the text of John 14:13, the context that the Lord Jesus was teaching in was with reference to doing the works of the Lord. When the disciples truly have faith in the Lord, they will not only do His works. They will also do “greater works” that the Lord Jesus had done. The disciples of the Lord Jesus were meant to ask in His name with reference to His work. The Lord promised that when they pray with such faith, it is as good as done. Let’s also learn to ask in the name of the Lord Jesus with confidence that He will hear us.

The Purposes For Praying In The Name Of Jesus

What are the purposes of praying in the name of the Lord Jesus?

1. That The Father May Be Glorified In The Son

“And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.” 
John 14:13-14

The Lord Jesus ensures that prayers would be answered for the purpose of the Father being glorified in Him. Our focus in prayer should be the glorification of our heavenly Father in all that the Son of God is and not self glory. When we have this in mind as we pray, the Lord God will answer our prayers

2. That Our Joy May Be Full

“Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” 
John 16:23-24

The disciples of Jesus had not learnt to pray with His name in mind. This was a new teaching from the Lord Jesus. When we ask in the Lord’s name and God hears our prayers, we will have great joy in our Master and High Priest. Learning to pray the way the Lord taught will bring about fullness of joy. Let’s pray in the Lord’s name that we may experience such joy.

Back to Article Listing