28 Nov Ask in Jesus’ Name
John 16:24 (NKJV)
Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
Jesus taught his disciples extensively about prayer and the Holy Spirit just before His crucifixion, resurrection and ascension. To make up for His physical absence, He promises us three things:
- His peace (John 14:27)
- The Holy Spirit to be with us (John 14:16)
- Prayer in His Name (John 16:23-24)
Before Jesus ascended to heaven this type of prayer was unheard of. Just imagine how it must have shocked the people of the day: no more making animal sacrifices and getting a priest to pray to God on your behalf. You can talk directly to God Himself!
The name of Jesus Christ is our access to the heart of the Father. God doesn’t answer our prayers based on our own merit. It is not our own good behavior, hours of prayer or fasting that wins His approval. He approves of us because we are in Christ and He approves of Him.
Yet the name of Jesus is not a magic word like ‘abracadabra’ that we stick onto a prayer to get it answered. No, to pray in the name of Jesus means to pray by the authority of Jesus Christ. You have access to this authority because you were made His son or daughter when you received the salvation He offered you.
No power can stand before the name of Jesus. Because of what Jesus accomplished through His death and resurrection we can come to God in His name. What a privilege! Now we pray not in the name of our family or our denomination or our nationality. We have the power of attorney of the name of Jesus Christ the Son of God and can claim everything He paid for on the Cross of Calvary.
What do you want to ask God today? Go ahead and pray to the Father in the Name of Jesus Christ. He is eager to hear from you.
