In Jesus Namefeatured

I usually close my prayers with the phrase, “In Jesus name, Amen” or words to that effect. I was taught that using this phrase was the proper way to close a prayer. The Bible certainly supports this approach. In John 14:13-24 Jesus told his disciples, “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” Doesn’t that sound great? On the surface, this makes Jesus sound like the most wonderful Santa Claus ever – just utter his name and your wish is granted.  I think we must dig a bit deeper than this one verse. We need to look more broadly at what the Bible says about using the name of Jesus.

Paul’s beautiful words in Philippians 2:9-11 give us a bit more insight on Jesus’s name: “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Closing my prayers with “in Jesus Name” should not be a rote recitation that rolls off my tongue thoughtlessly.  Paul’s words call me to use “the name that is above every name” with thoughtful reverence. Often my prayers are a bit self-serving as I ask God to bless the plans that I have made and, oh by the way, please adhere to my timetable. The words “in Jesus’s name” offer me the opportunity to “clean up” my prayers – but that means I must pause long enough to consider what those words really mean.

If I truly pray in Jesus’s name, I humbly acknowledge God’s providence and power. God’s words in Isaiah 55:8, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” remind me of that my own wisdom pales in comparison to God’s wisdom and providence. Paul’s words in Ephesians 1:19-21 assure me of “…his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.”

I need to be reminded frequently that God’s providence is based on his perfect and holy love for his children and that he knows what is best – I don’t. Jesus included a reminder when he taught his disciples how to begin their prayers in Matthew 6: 9 – “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.”

It is not surprising that the next words in Jesus’s prayer are “your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Recognition of God’s providence and power should lead me right to submission and surrender to his will. This is the tough part! Jesus calls me to surrender my plans, wisdom, and timing to his superior will for me. It helps me to know that Jesus had to go through that same struggle when he prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:38-44). Three times he asked God to spare him from the horrors of his coming crucifixion, each time surrendering to God’s will. If it took Jesus three rounds to surrender completely, no wonder I have trouble releasing my tight grip on my will!

Jesus’s promise “You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it” is absolutely true if we take the time in our prayers to submit our desires, plans, and timetables to his all-surpassing providence.

I suspect that I am not the only one who needs help with the whole submission and surrendering process. Jesus promised to help us with this process in John 14:15-16 – “If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever.” His Holy Spirit will help us and guide us as we pray. He will purify our hearts so that our prayers are truly “in his name.”

This painting is titled “Worthy.” I hope it will be a reminder that our Savior is worthy of more than prayers that I carelessly and thoughtlessly end in his name. He is worthy of prayers where I have allowed the Holy Spirit to clean up my heart so that I truly offer them in the name that is above every name – Jesus.