Thoughts for Life: #12 The Meaning of Praying in Jesus' Name

Dr. Wesley L. Duewel- Several important concepts must be kept in mind before you can pray in Jesus' name:

To pray in Jesus' name is possible only if you are "in Jesus." Jesus said, "I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it: (John 14:13-14).(Google image, What it really means to pray in Jesus' name).

In that same conversation with His disciples shortly before His death, He reminded them: "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you . . . Apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:7, 5). Jesus used the phrase "in me" seven times in John 14, 15. To be "in Jesus" means:

1. To be in spiritual unity with Jesus (15:4-7)
2. To be in the vine (15:4)
3. To be in Jesus' love (15:9-10)

Love is the prevailing topic of John 13-16. Love must be mutual; if it is to be received, it must be responded to. His new command to love (13:34; 15:17). You cannot love Jesus unless you love His other children (13:34). To love Jesus is to obey Jesus (14:15, 23). If you love, you will remain in Jesus (15:10).

4-5. To have Jesus living within you (14:20; 15:4-5).
6. To be indwelled by the Holy Spirit (14:15-18).
7. To have Christ's words remaining in you (15:7).

Our ability to pray in Jesus' name depends upon this "in Christ" relationship.

To pray in Jesus' name is to be conformed to His nature. The example given in John 13 is Jesus in His servant role, washing the disciples' feet. As you know truth you must do truth (13:17). When you joyfully do His will, reflecting His Christlikeness, you may pray in Jesus' name.

To pray in Jesus' name is to pray for His sake. You must so desire what Jesus desires that your every request is in the spirit of the Lord's prayer, "Your will be done" (Matt. 6:10). This was the attitude of Jesus as He prayed in Gethsemane. You are to pray actively, aggressively that Jesus' will may prevail. To pray in His name is to insist that His total victory be made manifest in the world.

To pray in Jesus' name is to use His name as your reference. This aspect of God's truth is clear in The Living Bible paraphrase of John 14:13-14:

"You can ask for anything, using my name, and I will do it, for this will bring praise to the Father because of what I, the Son, will do for you. Yes, ask anything, using my name, and I will do it."

Jesus is your reference as you approach God the Father in prayer. When satan tries to block and oppose you, use the name of Jesus to gain total victory.

To pray in Jesus' name is to claim Calvary's victory for your need. Because Jesus openly defeated Satan and all his evil hosts of demons (Col. 2:15), Satan is a defeated foe. He is a usurper. He tries to frighten and bluff you, but he has already lost the last battle. In Jesus' name you claim the actualization of the victory Christ won on the cross.

To pray in Jesus' name is to acknowledge His full role as God's anointed—your Prophet, Priest, and King. As Prophet, He is your Counselor and Guide. As Priest, He is your Intercessor. As you pray He says the "Amen" to your prayer (Rev. 3:14). " For no matter how many promises God has made, they are 'Yes' in Christ. And so through him the 'Amen' is spoken by us to the glory of God" (2 Cor. 1:20).

As King, He is your Sovereign Lord. As you pray in His name, you claim His prophetic guidance for your prayer, His priestly intercession for your prayer, and His kingly answers to your prayer.

To pray in Jesus' name is to pray in all His authority. He has delegated to you the authority to pray and ask God to accomplish great things in His name. You can rebuke Satan and his schemes, his demons, and all his infernal work in the name of Jesus. This your protection; this is your might; this is your victory.

(Chapter 4, pp. 33-35, italics added for emphasis)

Used by permission

of the Duewel Literature Trust, Inc,

Greenwood, Indiana

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Let's pray-

"Father, thank you for the Word who became flesh and dwelt among us. In Him was life and the Life was the Light of men. We are children of the Light, walking in Light and we have fellowship with one another, as the blood of Jesus purges all our sin. When we confess our sins, you are just to forgive us and to cleanse us from all wrongdoing. In Christ Jesus, through the shedding of His blood, we are redeemed. Amen. Germine Copeland

Scripture Reading
John 1:1-14; Ephesians 5:8, 1 John 1:7-9; Ephesians 1:7

Today's Bible verses-

Isaiah 43:1-3 (NASB) “ . . . Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine! When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you. For I am the Lord your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior . . .”

Psalm 147:3 (NLT) “He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.”

Psalm 68:5 (NLT) “Father to the fatherless, defender of widows—this is God, whose dwelling is holy.”

Psalm 18:3 (NASB) “I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.”

Today's quotes-

~ Skip Heitzig- "Why would Mighty God decide to wrap Himself in a package of skin and spend three decades walking the earth He had made? Well, He did it to save us, but also to identify with us. The very title Immanuel means 'God with us.'

The New Testament reinforces this concept. 'For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin' (Hebrews 4:15).

Jesus endured pain, sorrow, fatigue, and frustration. He knew what it felt like to be rejected, betrayed, and abandoned.

When you pray to Him in your darkest hours, He doesn't merely understand that you're enduring hardship; He knows what you feel like. He gets it, and He can help you in the best possible way. Jesus is the complete package, both Savior and friend."

(From his book, BLOODLINE, p.105, excellent reading. He takes you through the entire Bible, proving Christ's bloodline is there in every book!) [Italics added for emphasis]

~ Max Lucado- “Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.” What protection this final phrase affords. As you confess that God is in charge, you admit that you aren’t. As you proclaim that God has power, you admit that you don’t. And as you give God all the applause, there is none left to dizzy your brain."

Words of wisdom-

~ Our Good Shepherd, Jesus, stands ready to rescue us from going astray, like sheep tend to do on their own. We soon find that we're unable to care for ourselves, and find ourselves in jeopardy. Jesus will guide and provide for us, if we'll ask Him to.

Today's guest post- Finishing the race

Ken Barnes-

"Some will finish the race well; others will not.

Cliff Young, a sixty-one-year-old farmer from Australia, entered the 544-mile inaugural Sydney to Melbourne Ultramarathon Race in 1983.
He showed up for the race wearing overalls, a white t-shirt, and work boots. The other runners wore promotional running attire. They laughed and made fun of him . . . "

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