Praying in the Name of Jesus - What Does It Mean?

Praying in the Name of Jesus - What Does it Mean?

During the Biblical days a name was more than just a word which people use to identify each other. A name tells of the person’s personality, his attitude, his background, his family and his life. For example; Abraham means “the father of many” and he had twelve sons, the Twelve Tribes of Israel. Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro means “excellence” and he became Moses’ advisor. Paul means “little” and this man of little size had faith that moves mountains. Immanuel, the title given to Jesus means “God with us” and indeed God was with the people of the New Testament in human likeness. When Jesus asks us to pray and ask in His name, it means to pray and ask according to His will. Let’s look at an example of asking according to God’s will in the Old Testament:

One night God visited King Solomon in his dream and told him, “Ask for whatever you want Me to give you.” (1 Kings 3:5) and without hesitation Solomon replied, “Give Your servant a discerning heart to govern Your people and to distinguish between right and wrong.” And God was so pleased with Solomon. Because Solomon did not ask for life or health for himself or death for his enemies, God gave him what he did not asked – both riches and honor. (1 Kings 3:10-13) So Solomon became the wisest man on earth. When you study the request of Solomon you will be able to find that he asked for wisdom not because of self-conceit. Instead Solomon asked for wisdom because he wants to rule God’s people (not his people) and make sure there is justice among the people God has entrusted into Solomon’s hand. Solomon wasn’t selfish with his request and God was really really pleased with Solomon’s request (1 Kings 3:10).

Jesus said ask for anything in His name and it shall be given to us. But does that mean that if you can ask that God give you a car so you can drive although you’re underage? Of course not! Why? Because it ain’t God’s will, disobeying the law is a sin. The next time we ask for something we got to make sure it is God’s will for us to have it. So boys, stop praying that God bring you a hot girlfriend into your life at this schooling age. Girls, stop asking God for a handsome boyfriend who owns 10 credit cards. Sometimes your prayer may go unanswered, this can be either God is asking you to wait or you are asking out of God’s will. Start praying according to God’s will today onwards, pray in His name, His will.

John 16:24
Until now you have not asked for anything in My Name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.