Secrets of Effective Prayer (3)
Recap/Introduction: In the last episode we discussed about praying in obedience to God’s delight. In this episode we continue to discuss other secrets of effective prayer.
● Praying in the Name of Christ and According To The Will of God
John 14:13-14 “Whatsoever ye shall ask IN MY NAME, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in My name, I will do it.”
But what is it to pray in the name of Christ? (Not appending my prayer with the name).
There is power in praying in the name of Jesus. But it is not the mere vocalization of the word “Jesus”
that provides the power. It is not a magic charm to get what we want.
See Act 19:11 ‘‘And God did works of power through the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or
aprons from his skin being brought onto the sick, the diseases were released, and the evil spirits went
out of them. And certain from the strolling Jews, exorcists, undertook to name the name of the Lord
Jesus over those having evil spirits, saying, we adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches. And there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so. But answering the evil spirit said, Jesus I know, and I comprehend Paul, but who are you?’’
WHAT IS PRAYING IN THE NAME OF JESUS? – – – –
Conclusion
To pray then in the name of Christ is to pray on the ground, not of my credit, but His; to
renounce the thought that I have any claims on God whatever, and approach Him on the
ground of God’s claims.
Praying in Jesus name means praying in the authority that Jesus has. Mathew 28:18 ‘‘And
Jesus came and spoke unto them, saying, all power is given unto me in heaven and in
earth. This is what it means to come boldly’’. Also see Hebrews 4:14.
Praying in Jesus name means understanding the person and character of Jesus. (In Bible
times Name speaks of his nature). You have to walk in the revelation of that authority.
Relationship is what in Jesus name means. Acts 19:13 ‘‘We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul
preaches’’. Act 19:15 ‘‘But answering the evil spirit said, Jesus I know, and I comprehend
Paul, but who are you?’’
It is not the mere vocalization of the word “Jesus” that provides the power. It is the memory and
recollection of the entire life of Jesus. The short name of Jesus is meant to represent the entirety of the life and ministry of Jesus — all that he did, all that he said, all that he experienced. Thus, to pray in the name of Jesus is to bring all the truth of Jesus’s life and ministry to bear on the issue you are bringing to God in prayer.
You want to be effective in your prayer life? Examine yourself – Do I really know Jesus? I need to have an understanding of his Name. Commit to studying Him. May the Lord Grant you understanding.
