Over the years my understanding of praying in the name of Jesus has changed significantly. Closing a prayer in the name of Jesus is more than just a religious formula. We are saying we believe Jesus is alive and providentially works in our lives as we walk by faith.
There is power in the name of Jesus. We don’t believe the so-called “faith healers” as the cry out, “In the name of J-e-s-u-s be healed”; however, that does not mean there’s no actual power in the name of Jesus the risen Lord to answer our prayers. When we say “in the name of Jesus” in our prayers we are confidently convicted He will work according to the Father’s will to provide what we need to get from here to heaven.
The apostle Paul writes from prison, “…for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:19). The apostle John writes, “This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him” (I John 5:14-15).
Read John 15:1-8. (Notice Jesus teaches the disciples NOT to pray for God to give them heaven on earth but for God to work in their lives to bring glory to the Father – that’s the right kind of prayer.) Then listen to Believe For It by CeCe Winans. Then pray in the name of Jesus like you believe it!
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