Praying In Jesus's Name (July 16, 1996)

Yesterday I was having lunch with a Christian acqaintance. She asked me to say the blessing over the meal. So I gave a short prayer thanking the Lord for our time together and asking Him to come and be involved in our fellowship together. I also thanked Him for providing the food and asked His blessing on us as we ate it. Then I said "amen." She sat there for a few minutes longer, with her head bowed as though the prayer was not over. I assumed she was just praying silently. But after she finished, she looked at me uncertainly. This gave me the impression that she was uncomfortable because I did not end the prayer with the phrase "In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen." So I asked her and sure enough, she expected the prayer to end with that phrase.

But that is NOT what it means to pray in Jesus' name. It is not some "magic phrase" that we end our prayers with to improve our chances of getting them answered. Praying in Jesus' name is NOT a formula. It is a lifestyle.

To pray in Jesus name means to wear His name constantly in our day to day life/walk. In other words, if we are His are we are living for Him, then we are called by His name. "Christians" is the modern term. To pray in Jesus' name means to make Him our Lord and to live for Him as best as we are able to. That is what wearing Jesus name is all about... letting Him live in us. If we are in that vital relationship with Him then our hearts and spirits become tuned to God's will and we are able to discern more of Who He is and what He desires to be doing in us and through us. As we become attuned with God (and with the principles and guidelines and commands laid down in His word) then we are able to pray prayers that line up with His will. And when we pray these, then He answers them. That is what I believe Jesus was referring to when He said (in John 16:23-4) "In that day you will no longer ask Me for anthing. I tell you the truth, My Father will give you whatever you ask in My name. Until now you have not asked for anything in My name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete."

Blessings.

- teresa