In Jesus’ Name = In Jesus by Bryan Craig

“In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.”  John 16:26-27 ESV

I remember years ago, when I was newly married and we joined a church in Tulsa.  This was the first time since I was a kid to be involved in a church.  I was on the church softball team, and it was our first game.  We circled up, and I was shocked when they asked me if I would say a prayer.  At that time, I had very little experience in praying out loud, outside of a rehearsed prayer over the Thanksgiving meal a few times at my aunt’s house.  I was like a deer in the headlights.  I gulped, paused, and said something like this: “God please keep us safe today and help us play to the best of our ability.”  I think that was about all I could come up with, and then, my mind raced, as I couldn’t remember how you were supposed to close out a prayer.  Was it, “Amen” or was there something else more churchy you were supposed to say?  My mind was blank, so as the pause was drawing out too long, I blurted out, “Thank you.”  I raised my head, and I felt like all the guys were looking at me strangely.  I felt so stupid.

As time went on, I started listening to other people pray, and I learned that the most popular way to close a prayer was, “In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”  I was thankful I didn’t get asked to pray out loud too often after that, but now I had my closing down.  This is all kind of funny as I look back, now understanding that one of my top spiritual gifts is Intercession.  It shows fully that it is ALL GOD!

But I never thought about why people pray, “In Jesus’ name.”  I didn’t realize at the time that it was because Jesus talked about it quite a few times in His Word.

Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. John 14:13-14 ESV

Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.  John 16:24 ESV

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17 ESV

For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them. Matthew 18:20 ESV

To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours.  1 Corinthians 1:2 ESV

There are many references to the “name of Jesus,” the “name above every name.” (Philippians 2:9) In many other places, in a similar fashion, scriptures talk about praying “according to His will.”  I think the concept of praying in Jesus’ name and praying in His Will are one in the same.

I was reading an Oswald Chambers devotional, and of course, he explains it better than I can. He is teaching on John 16:26-27:

“You will ask in my name.” By “name,” Jesus means “nature.” He isn’t saying, “You will use my name as a magic word to get what you want from the Father.” He’s saying, “You will be so intimate with me that you will be one with me.”

“In that day . . .” The day Jesus is speaking of isn’t a day in the future; it’s here and now. It’s a day of undisturbed relationship between God and his child. Just as Jesus stood blameless in the presence of his Father, so by the baptism of the Spirit are we lifted into relationship with him: “. . . that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us” (John 17:21).

Oswald helped me understand this further.  Jesus doesn’t want us to just pray in His name with words.  He wants us to be In Him.  When we are In Him, we are pure and sanctified and full of His Spirit and His Fruit, and we have the “mind of Christ.”  Then, our prayers will be in line with the things Jesus would pray and desire for our lives.  This is why Jesus is so bold in telling His disciples to ask anything.  When we are full of His Spirit, we don’t want the foolish things of this world or carnal desires.  We want more of Him and more of Him in the world.

It always seems to come back to the abiding relationship, doesn’t it?  

For so many years, when I was in any situation where I thought I might be asked to pray, I was rehearsing my prayer in my head, so as to appear like a solid Christian.  After I learned to abide with Him, prayer was just a constant conversation I was having all day long.  If someone asked me to pray, I could speak my heart and my mind, without fear, knowing that the Spirit was speaking through me.  And in that, prayer has become so much more powerful.  And for that, like my early days of innocent prayer, I say to the Lord, THANK YOU!