As a writer of words inspired by God; I need to keep myself immersed in the Word. Reading is one of my greatest passions so along with my Bible, I read Christian non-fiction books, Christian devotion books and magazines. There are preachers and evangelists that I enjoy watching and listening to on various programs. I’m an active member in a Spirit-led church, with a pastor who preaches nothing but the truth found in the Bible. All these things do not make me a Bible scholar nor do I profess to be one.
When I write my weekly Blog posts, I pray that the Lord will give me a message filled with hope and encouragement to my readers. A friend who reads my posts said to me, “I like how you explain things.” What a blessing to hear these words, knowing that what I write is never in vain.
She recently asked me a question. “When do you use Jehovah and when do you use Jesus? I know you close your prayer in Jesus’ name, amen.”
I believe the answer to her question is found in the Book of John. The Apostle John teaches us the significance of ending our prayers in Jesus’ Name. Yes, it is scriptural to pray in Jesus’ Name and the following six Scriptures teach us the benefits in doing so.
And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father be glorified in the Son – John 14:13
If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. – John 14:14
You did not chose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. – John 15:16
On that day you will ask Me nothing. Truly, truly I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My Name He will give you. – John 16:23
Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. – John 16:24.
On that day you will ask in My name. I am not saying to you that I shall ask the Father on your behalf. For the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came from God.– John 16:26-27
In the above verses, Jesus tells us how to pray. When we ask in His Name, Jesus will do it. If we ask the Father in the Name of Jesus, the Father will do it.
Let’s read what Jesus tells His disciples in John 14:10-11, “Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own authority. But the Father who lives in Me does the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me.”
We need to remember; the Name of Jesus can do anything He can do. Faith in the Name is faith in Him. There is power in the Name of Jesus.
Philippians 2:9-11 says. “Therefore God highly exalted Him and gave Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
I thank my friend for asking me this question. It caused me to delve into the Word myself to seek the answer. She says she likes how I explain things. I pray that after reading this post, she will have a greater understanding of what it means to pray in Jesus’ Name, and the significance in doing so.