THE TEACHINGS ON PRAYER (2)

              IN THE NAME OF JESUS

Christians are used to offering prayer in the name of Jesus. This universal custom of the church is based firmly on scriptural authority. Our Lord’s discourses in the fourth Gospel repeatedly bid the disciples to pray in His name.

It may, however, be questioned what exactly is meant by praying in the name of Jesus. It would not be sufficient to use a formula. It is clear that these solemn words in the Gospel convey a meaning of the first importance for the efficiency of prayer.

Our Lord did not mean, "If God will not answer your prayers, I will." Prayers that are not acceptable to the Father cannot be accepted by the Son.  No Bible text or respectable theology ever puts the Father and the Son in opposition.

We do indeed come to God through Christ. To think of Jesus helps us to think rightly of God. The simplest way of understanding prayer in the name of Jesus is that we thus pray not merely in our own right, but as His disciples and workers; as citizens of His kingdom; as members of His church. Prayer in the name of Jesus is prayer that is offered with authority derived from the fellowship of all believers in which we are members.

When we pray in the name of Jesus, we assert the authority of One who has defeated evil and the Devil.  But we can be more precise. In the Bible, the word "name" usually carries something of the meaning of character. The name of a thing is its description indicating what it is. Thus, to know a man’s name is something more than to be able to address him correctly; it is to know what he is. The name "Jesus" is especially significant. The Scripture say, "Thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins" (Matt 1:21).

Playwright Janet Irene Thomas
Founder/Chairman/CEO
Bible Stories Theatre of
Fine & Performing Arts
www.biblestoriestheatre.org
info@biblestoriestheatre.org