Praying In the Name of Jesus

 
Scripture: John 14:11-15 / John 16:23-24

Questions: What does it really mean to pray in the Name of Jesus? Why does it seem that some prayers are unanswered? If Jesus stated that if we ask for anything in His Name He would do it, why does it seem that we do not receive what we ask for? Where is the power of the Name of Jesus?

God answers prayer. Either that statement is true or it’s not true, right? Either it is true or it is not true. Friend, it is true. God answers prayer, and that means that I, a human being, a mortal, weak and fallible, can address God, and He will hear me. Now, folks, when I dwelt upon that, when I thought about that, I said, “Is that true? Can I speak to Him and He will answer me?” And then I thought on the heels of that thought, “It is true. I know it to be true. And if that is true, I am an unmitigated fool if I don’t know how to pray and if I don’t pray.” Now, what does it mean to pray in His name? Does that mean that we say, “Da da da da da da da da da da da da da - in Jesus’ name?” Did you know that you’ll not find one prayer in the Bible that ends that way? Now we all pray “in Jesus’ name.” And when I pray, almost always, I will say something like this: “In the name of Jesus. Amen.” Nothing wrong with that. I think it’s wonderful. I think you ought to do it. But you won’t find any prayers in the Bible that end that way. Does anybody know one?  Maybe I’m wrong. Yet we think that if we just put those little words at the end of the prayer, ipso facto that sanitizes the prayer - gives it a Good Housekeeping seal of approval, and therefore, because we’ve said those words, the prayer’s going to Heaven. Not necessarily so. What does it mean to pray in the name of Jesus? Well, let’s take a look together to get a better understanding on what that means.


1. Praying with His Approval -John 14:12 / 1 Thessalonians 2:4 – 

The definition of approval is “the belief that someone or something is good or acceptable.” Praying with His approval means that it is something that He approves of, that is acceptable to Him. Jesus has to approve your prayer, or be acceptable to Him, before you can put his name on that prayer with His approval. How do we know that what we are praying for has His approval? The better question is, what exactly am I asking for? Are we praying for wealth? Are we praying for prestige? Are we praying for self? (Galatians 1:10) Maybe we should request fewer things and ask more clarifying questions. Some Christians pray for 100 things each day and receive just five. Perhaps we should ask for only what we know Jesus wants to give, what Jesus approves of. What if we prayed for five things each day, but we were confident Jesus would grant all five requests? If you had five answered prayers every day, it would not take long before your world felt the impact! So, ask Jesus what he wants to do before you make requests. Your prayers should not consist entirely of itemized wish lists. Begin by asking God questions. Draw close enough to Jesus that He lays his heart over yours. Raise your issues or concerns and then remain silent as you wait for Him to bring scriptures and insights to your mind. Allow God to shape your views and thoughts so you understand how He is working in those circumstances. Then you will know what to ask. On a side note, avoid immediately praying for needs you have just learned about. If someone shares that they are considering a new job opportunity, don’t instantly pray that they get the new position. Instead, ask Jesus what He wants you to pray in that situation. Perhaps He knows the new company would not be a good fit for the person. Take time to learn what you should be praying!

2. Praying with His Authority--John 14:10-12 / John 5:26-27 --

 “in the name” means “with His authority.” What exactly is His authority? The definition for authority is “The power or right to give orders, make decisions or enforce obedience.” Jesus stated in Matthew 28:18 that ALL authority has been given to Him in Heaven and on the earth. That means that Jesus has the all the power and all the right to give orders, make decisions or enforce obedience. And authority is not something that has to be forced. Let me try to explain it this way, when a person puts his name on a check, what does that mean? That means that the bank teller has the authority to give you some money out of that bank, because your name is on that check. You are authorizing, giving the power or right, to the withdrawal of your money. Or you sign a check and give it to somebody else: that gives them the right to go and take some of your money out of the bank, because you put your name on that check. Now, when we pray in the name of Jesus, if we expect to get our prayers answered, we pray in the name of Jesus, with His approval, in His authority. Just saying, “In the name of Jesus” - that doesn’t mean that it’s in the name of Jesus. Now if you’re listening, please hear me folks, and you’re not a Christian, you have no right, no authority - none whatsoever - to pray in the name of Jesus until you’ve bowed the knee to Jesus and received Him as your Lord and Savior. Now, don’t get confused or alarmed by this statement. Let me explain, the Bible is clear, you must be in Christ and Christ in you to have His authority. You enter into this position of His authority because you are in Him, (Romans 8:9 ESV) “You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to Him.” (Ephesians 1:11 ESV) “In Him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will.”

3. Praying to Glorify the Father – John 14:13 / John 17:1-5 – 

The definition of glorify is “to honor or praise as divine.” Let’s take a look at Jesus’s prayer in John 17 starting at verse 1 and following: the first part of the prayer is where our Lord Jesus prays to glorify the Father. This prayer is an example of humble obedience to the Lord–that the steps we take and prayers that we offer should be for God’s glory. Jesus makes requests of the Father, but the main purpose of the prayer is to glorify the Father. Let us note that Jesus is not being a fatalist when He sees things unfolding as God has planned. He does not stand around and do nothing. He does not “let go and let God,” but He goes to His Father in prayer. He sees no contradiction between God’s certain fulfillment of His plan and His own need and responsibility to commune with the Father. Jesus revealed His purpose in answering prayer when He said, "That the Father may be glorified in the Son." In order to achieve His exalted purpose to glorify the Father, the Son has bestowed on His redeemed people the inalienable right to ask anything in His Name. In the clear light of this remarkable truth it is not difficult to perceive that the possibilities in prayer are as great as the purpose of the Son of God. It is likewise apparent that every prayer offered in the Name of the Son must be offered for the specific purpose of obtaining the things which glorify the Father. Jesus was near the close of His public ministry with His disciples when He delivered His parting statements here in John. In His closing address He speaks to the men whose training time has about ended. He had instructed His messengers in the "Sermon on the Mount" to pray, believing and trusting the Father to give them all good gifts; but here in His closing discourse He points to something higher to be accomplished through prayer and faith. These faithful men were to go and perform His works, even greater works than He had achieved during His ministry in the world. Jesus disclosed to them that praying in His Name was to be the channel through which the enabling power was obtained to perform the works which glorify the Father in the Son. When in prayer we align ourselves with God's will and work—that brings Him glory. When in prayer we call upon God with bold faith, trusting Him to do the impossible—that brings Him glory. When in prayer we spend time in fellowship with our Father and delight ourselves in the Lord—that brings Him glory. When in prayer we allow God to transform our hearts—that brings Him glory. God aims to glorify himself in everything he does. And the glory of his self-sufficient power and wisdom shines most brightly not when He looks like He depends on the work of others, but when He makes plain that He Himself does the work. So, our prayers should be aimed and bringing all the glory (honor, praise) to the Father and not on ourselves.

4. Praying in Obedience to Him – John 14:15 / Isaiah 1:13-16 / Isaiah 59:1-2 -- 

Now I believe this is where most of us fail. I believe, thus far, most of you are saying, “Checking that off. That’s fine.” But I want to tell you something now that is as clear as anything can be in the Bible concerning prayer. If you pray with a disobedient spirit, you’re not going to get your prayers answered. If you did, God would be doing a terrible thing. God would be encouraging you to disobey. But the Bible knows that you cannot pray and get prayers answered if you’re living a disobedient life. Now David knew better. David said in Psalm 66 and verse 18, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” (Psalm 66:18) Now, folks, that’s black print on white paper! it couldn’t be any plainer. Thank God it doesn’t say, “If I’ve sinned, the Lord will not hear me,” because if it said that, He wouldn’t hear me, wouldn’t hear you, wouldn’t hear any of us. “If I’ve sinned, the Lord will not hear me” - he doesn’t say that. What he does say is this: “If I regard iniquity in my heart…” Let my Bible represent sin, because it tells us about sin. You say, “Well, I’ve got my little pet sin. I love that sin. That’s a nice little sin, a little harmless sin.” I have that sin. And where do I have that sin? In my
heart. Right there - in my heart. Now I come to pray, and I say, “Now, God, I need thus and such…” “Nice little sin…” “Lord, would you do this? Would you do that?” And I have regard for iniquity. I have it right there in my heart. Do you think for a minute that God’s going to hear that prayer? If He did, what would He be doing? He’d be saying, “Harold, you can live a godless, sinful life, and I will still bless you.” But, friend, the Bible says clearly and plainly - and David knew better - “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me. Isaiah knew better. Listen to Isaiah chapter 1, verses
13 and following. God says, “You’re going through your religious motions, your rituals, your incantations - that means nothing to me. I’m sick of it. I’m weary of it. I don’t want to hear it. When you speak, I’ll turn away my face. I’ll hide my eyes and stop my ears from your prayer.” James knew better. James said in James chapter 5, verse 16, “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” (James 5:16) Do you know what many of us do? We think that God’s just going to bless us. He’s going to blow past our sin, and He’s just going to bless us anyhow. You cannot use prayer as a smokescreen to hide your sin. And I’m telling you, you’re wasting your breath if you pray with any, any, any, any, any, any un-confessed sin in your life. Don’t do it. Now I want to ask you this question: Is there any sin - anything - worth God not hearing your prayer? “IfI regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” It doesn’t say “if I am perfect,” because if I have sin in my heart, I don’t have to regard it. I can confess it and be clean, isn’t that right? God will hear that prayer always - the prayer of confession and cleansing.

Conclusion: We need to come to God in the absolute certainty that Jesus’ words are true: “The kingdom of God has come!” and, “If you have faith, nothing will be impossible for you.” Wonders will take place, mountains will be torn from their place, and the whole situation as it is on earth will be changed. Mighty things will happen when we have faith and understand what it means to pray in the Name of Jesus!
Praying in the Name of Jesus must have His approval, His authority, glorify the Father and be in obedience to Him.