Thursday, February 14, 2019: John 16:23-27
23 “In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. 25 “I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father. 26 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; 27 for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.”
It is common practice to use the words, “In Jesus’ name, amen” at the end of a prayer. Hopefully, this week’s study gives you some insight into that practice. Praying this way shows a desire to center our lives and prayers on God’s purposes. However, simply adding the words, “In Jesus’ name” at the end of a prayer is not a magic phrase.
Praying in Jesus’ name is more about the heart of a prayer than it is about the words spoken by a prayer. The disciples in John 16 had never prayed with the words or the heart, “In Jesus’ name, amen.” But they would. In this passage, Jesus told them there was a day coming when they would no longer need an earthly mediator to reach the Father because the Father would accept them fully. This acceptance would be based on Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
As believers this side of the cross, we have the indescribable privilege of access to the Father through the finished work of Christ. Jesus is our confidence. God will answer heartfelt prayers that magnify Jesus and fit into His redemptive purposes—prayer “in Jesus’ name, amen.”
- How can you guard against praying self-centered prayers instead of God-centered prayers?
- Pray: Take some time to thank God for Jesus’ great sacrifice for you on the cross, and the privilege that sacrifice allows you—to freely pray in Jesus’ name. Thank God also for the confidence you have in knowing He loves you and will always hear your prayers because of Jesus.