John 14:14 (NIV) “You may ask me for anything in my name and I will do it.”
1 John 5:14 (NIV) “This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.”
Why do we pray in Jesus name? As we pray our way through the Advent Season, you will notice that we end each prayer with the phrase “In Jesus’ Name.” Listen to what this author states…
“Praying in Jesus’ name means praying with His authority and asking God the Father to act upon our prayers because we come in the name of His Son, Jesus. Praying in Jesus’ name means the same thing as praying according to the will of God, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him” (1 John 5:14-15). Praying in Jesus’ name is praying for things that will honour and glorify Jesus. Saying “in Jesus’ name” at the end of a prayer is not a magic formula. If what we ask for or say in prayer is not for God’s glory and according to His will, saying “in Jesus’ name” is meaningless. Genuinely praying in Jesus’ name and for His glory is what is important, not attaching certain words to the end of a prayer. It is not the words in the prayer that matter, but the purpose behind the prayer. Praying for things that are in agreement with God’s will is the essence of praying in Jesus’ name.”
Prayer: As we come to you Lord, in this Christmas season, we thank you that we can come to you in Jesus' name. We thank you that your word directs us how to pray according to your will. We thank you that you are always here for us, that you hear us, love us and want to encourage and help us. You are our Good Shepherd and you listen to your sheep. Thank you Jesus for hearing us, loving us and responding to us according to your will – In Jesus' name – Amen
