Daily Devotions
Praying in Jesus' Name
Reading for November 21st: Acts 21-23
Weekly reading for November 15-21: John 11-15
Whatever you ask in my name, this 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
"In Jesus' name, Amen."
How many times have you said that phrase repeated at the end of a prayer? Thousands of times, right?
How many times do you find that phrase at the end of a New Testament prayer?
Zero. Not even a single time.
That seems strange, doesn't it? Of all the recorded prayers we have in the New Testament, there is not a single time we see that phrase at the end.
I'm not arguing against saying this in prayer. In fact, I think this is a tremendous way to end our prayers (and begin, for that matter). What I am concerned about is "vain repetition" (Matthew 6:7). I fear that because we use this phrase so much that it can become a mindless formula. It is possible for us to pray something with our lips and not our hearts (1 Corinthians 14:15).
So I want us all to pause for a moment before we pray this morning. Let's stop and think about what we are doing when we pray "in Jesus' name." When we do this we are calling on Jesus' authority.
- He is seated at the right hand of the Almighty God (Hebrews 1:3).
- He is above all rule, authority, power, and dominion (Ephesians 1:21).
- His name is exalted above every name (Philippians 2:10).
- He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Revelation 19:16).
- He is the Creator and Sustainer of all things, visible and invisible (Colossians 1:16-17).
- He rules in heaven with a rod of iron (Revelation 19:15).
- He is the Son of God (John 1:34).
In His name, we can boldly come before the throne (Hebrews 4:14-16). Meditate on this great and awesome thought before you approach our Father in prayer.
Father, in the mighty name of your only Son, Jesus Christ, we approach your throne of grace.
