“Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.…” —John 16:22-23
“What is the magic word?” Have you ever said that
to your children expecting them to respond with “please”? That is how we very often treat the phrase
“in Jesus name” when we pray. Our attitude is not that we ask consistent with
the Father’s will, but that if we ask for things and “tack” – in Jesus name –
on the end it somehow makes our request irresistible to the Father. I’m concerned that we don’t give enough
consideration to even our personal, spiritual condition when we ask. As if the condition of our hearts does not
matter – HEY! I said PLEASE!
When we say “in Jesus name” it should be a
reminder to us that the only reason the Father hears us is because of
Jesus. So it more of an acknowledgement –
an a awareness – than a guarantee of a positive answer to our prayer. James wrote (James 4:3) that “we have not
because we ask not and that for which we do ask, we ask amiss.” Think about what it is that you pray about. Much
of our time in prayer has to do with physical and relational issues – natural issues,
not spiritual ones. Do you pray before you eat? It is a good time to pause and
think about God’ provision. That He is Jehovah Jireh. God Provides.
Praying before you eat a meal can become a ritual – something that you
have to “get out of the way” before you can eat. Have you noticed people
praying in restaurants? Have you noticed that most people don’t pray, if they
do pray, before they eat the appetizer – chips or bread for example – but only
when the main course is served? That is telling and I have been guilty of doing
that very thing. We need to consider
what we do and why we do it. Have you
ever thought about the fact that your praying in a public place is a testimony to
the lost and an encouragement to other Christians who may be in the room.
What do you imagine that Jesus prayed about? Prayer is having an intimate conversation
with the Father. In Philippians 4, Paul makes it clear that we are to “be
anxious for nothing but in everything let our requests be made known to God”.
Peter wrote that we are to “cast all our cares on Him” (1 Peter 5:7). But the assumption is that the context is our
desire to be one with Jesus even as He is one with the Father. How about it?
One more thing. Should someone ask you to pray
for them or about some life issue – don’t just agree to pray. Stop right then
and there and pray. All too often like the man looking in the mirror – when you
turn away, you will very likely forget your promise.
“ …. pray for one another, that you may be
healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man is powerful and
effective.” – James 5:16
In Jesus name!
Think about it – Pray about it - Believe it –
Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.
By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone
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