One of the leaders in our prayer ministry begins his prayers, “Father, we come before you in Jesus’ name . . .” Three words that people traditionally use to conclude their prayers are used at the beginning by this brother. Rightly so. “In Jesus’ name” was never designed to be a tack-on at the end of our superficial requests. Rather, “in Jesus’ name” is a reality that changes why, how, and what we pray, from the very opening moment of our communion with God! According to Jesus one of the keys to answered prayer is praying ‘in his name.’

John 14:13-14, “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 15:16 (ESV), “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.”

John 16:23-24 He states, “And in that day you will ask Me nothing. 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.”

So what does Jesus mean when he says, “ask in his name?”

I see three primary things.  First it is worship-based prayer focused on the character and renown of Christ. Second, we come on the basis of Christ’s merit. Third, we are authorized to be Christ’s representatives praying with his delegated authority!

Worship-based prayer

Ultimately God will answer prayer when it will magnify his name and his character! As Dr. Randal Roberts writes,

“Praying in Jesus name means to pray in a manner consistent with His values and purposes . . . It is to pray with the glorification of God as the supreme motive; It is to pray as Jesus would pray if He was in our circumstances; It is to pray as His followers who have been appointed as instruments of fruit-bearing in the outworking of His mission . . . It is learning to ask for the good things that He delights to give from the devoted heart that He delights to bless.”

Praying ‘in Jesus name’ means we pray that the reputation of Jesus would be enhanced. Jesus Christ  would be more clearly seen and savored, revealed and revered.  We pray that the name of Jesus would be treated as infinitely valuable here on the earth as it is in heaven!

One major assumption when we pray is this:

There’s always MORE --OF Christ, FROM Christ, and FOR Christ!  As David Bryant shares, the one major GUARANTEE our prayers will be heard and answered is this:  Will the answers to our prayers help...

EXALT Jesus’ NAME?
SPREAD Jesus’ FAME?
EXTEND Jesus’ REIGN?
INCREASE Jesus’ GAIN?
RATIFY Jesus’ CLAIM?

Christ’s Merit

Praying in the name of Jesus is no formality. We approach God in prayer through Jesus because Jesus is the grounds upon which God chooses to hear us. God chooses to hear us because we have loved Jesus and believed that God sent him. God answers those who ask of him on the basis of Jesus and his gospel work. You and I have no claim on God, but Christ does.

He merited the blessing of the Father’s favor by his perfect life of obedience and sacrifice of the cross. Our access depends solely on what Jesus has done! When we pray in Jesus’ name we are asking the Father, ‘grant this request, because your Son the Lord Jesus has earned it!’ May Jesus see the travail of his soul and be satisfied! May the Lamb who was slain receive his due reward. He is All-Deserving! Rev. 5:12

In our praying, it is God’s name that is at stake! Jesus is telling us that His Father always acts in ways that honor his Name!  He would never want the rumor to go out that when someone came asking in the name of his Son, that he was turned away. 

Can you imagine going to God the Father in the name of God the Son and asking for more of the power or joy of the Holy Spirit, and be told to go away?  Jesus says, ‘it is impossible!’  The Father will get up and give you as much of himself as you need and as you desire!  So we pray, God vindicate your name in the nations of the earth!

Authorized as ‘Christ’s representatives’

Third, when we are praying in ‘Jesus name’ we are coming as those who are authorized to act in his place. Since we ‘represent’ him, Jesus authorized us to use his name in prayer. He gave us authority over his accounts. He asked us to exercise control over his estate-the kingdom of God!

We exercise our authority through prayer. By prayer we ask the Father for all we need to get the job done. By prayer we ask God to bind and destroy all demonic strongholds that are contrary to his will! By prayer we ask for justice, making wrong things right!  By prayer we ask God to shatter evil regimes and expose corruption! By prayer we ask him to direct his grace and power for the advance of the gospel in the nations of the earth! To pray in Jesus name and with his authority ultimately means praying according to his will not our own. 

Jesus is King of Kings and Lord of Lords! He has been given the name that is above every other name!  He is the SovereignSonoftheFather,reigningat His righthandforeverandever. All authority in heaven and earth has been given to him and he has asked us to exercise his delegated authority in the place of prayer! He is the triumphant victorovereveryfoe-sin,death, Hades.

He is the Glorious Conqueror! Therefore, we are praying from the victory that he has secured through the cross. He is the Righteous Judgeofpeoples andnations,towhomallmustgiveanaccount. He is the Undeniable and Gracious Rulerofhistory,overseeingits pathandits outcome frombeginningto end! He is the IncomparableKingofa Kingdom thatwillultimately cover the earth as the waters cover the sea! Hab. 2:14

Expect Results!

What happens when we pray in Jesus’ name? What is the ultimate purpose and result? According to Jesus’ multiple commands in this Upper Room Discourse, the outcomes of praying in His name are:

The Father will be glorified in the Son!

We bear fruit that remains!

Our joy is full!

God’s will is done on earth as it is in heaven!

He promised if we prayed in his name, he would do it! Let’s believe it and pray until we see the results!

What a glorious privilege to pray “In Jesus Name!”

Dr. Jason Hubbard
Executive Co-ordinator
IPC