Pastor’s Pen Pulpit Series: Truth for the Heart

February 6, 2005

ASKING IN HIS NAME

JOHN 14:13,14

“Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.”

The question arises, why don’t believers pray more? Is it because we think it is too much of a hassle? or maybe because we don’t expect answers? What is it that you would like to see happen so that when it happens, you knew it was God who did it, because He is the only one who could do it and because it was in God’s will?

Let’s take apart the concepts of these two verses very carefully. Note – He says in verse 13a, “Whatever you ask in my name that will I do.” This cannot, of course mean anything without exception. Common sense tells us that. The qualification comes in the latter half of verse 13, “so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” Thus anything we ask that will bring glory to the Father is included in this prayer.

What does it mean to pray “in Jesus’ name?” First of all it is more than just putting the words “in Jesus name” as a tag-on at the end of a prayer. In Biblical times the “name” said something about the person. Examples: Israel means “striver with God.” Paul means “little or small.” Jesus means “Jehovah is salvation.” Thus, to pray in Jesus name means to pray in the merits of all that Jesus is in His person. We petition in His authority and with His power. We never ask on the basis of who we are – but on the basis of who He is. Kenneth Gangel informs us that “the culture in which these words were spoken took names very seriously, so much so that they equated one’s name with the character, spirit and power of that person.”

In Matthew 6:9-13 Jesus provides us with a model prayer, thus giving us some practical guidelines in our prayer life.

First of all in verses 9 and 10 we are to pray for God’s work on earth to be done in a sufficient manner, the spreading of the gospel message. His will to be accomplished in the world of men as well as among His people. Then in verses 11to13 we need to pray for ourselves. Our daily needs, our relationship with God and with others. We also need to pray for deliverance from the evil one’s influence in our life. If we keep these guidelines in order, God will certainly be glorified in the Son. Brethren, this is intelligent praying.

When children first start to color, they have two problems. First, they might choose colors that are inappropriate. Secondly, once the colors are chosen, they have a difficult time keeping the colors within the boundary lines. As they mature and keep on coloring, they learn to keep within the guidelines and to choose the appropriate colors, resulting in a satisfying picture.

As children of our Heavenly Father, our prayer life often resembles a child’s coloring. At first, we don’t know what to pray for nor do our prayers stay within the guidelines of His will. As we mature and continue praying, though, we pray for the right things and stay within His will, resulting in a satisfying prayer life.

How are we doing in our prayer life? God bless!