"You didn't choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name." John 15:16 (New Living Translation).
"At that time you won't need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name." John 16:23 (New Living Translation).
Here we have the words of Jesus, and He tells us that we are to produce good fruit, or good results, as we live here on the earth. He also tells us that we can ask for what we need directly from the Father and that we will get what we need. Why? Because we present our needs in the name of Jesus.
It is not as if the words, "in the name of Jesus" provide magical powers to our prayers. It is not as if we can simply say the phrase at the end of a prayer and then God will be obligated to do whatever we ask. We must understand that praying for things that are in agreement with God's will is the essence of praying in Jesus' name.
Praying in Jesus' name means the same thing as praying according to the will of God:
"And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. 15 And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for." 1 John 5:14-15 (New Living Translation).
Praying in Jesus' name is praying for things that will honor and glorify Jesus. When we ask in the name of Jesus, it means that our prayers will be accepted in the same way a prayer from Jesus himself would have been accepted! That is pretty amazing! Doesn't that give you more confidence for your prayers to be answered?
It is sad to see Christians go without the help they need because they have not read or understood these powerful promises! It is all right there, within reach, if only they will read it, believe it, and act on it. The question is ... will you?
Action Step:
- Go ahead and talk to God about your needs and concerns. Don't forget to end your prayer time by stating that you ask these things in the name of Jesus.
- When you ask in the name of Jesus, according to the will of God, the Father wants to bless your request with a resounding, "Yes!"
Review:
1. Prayer Is Simply Talking And Listening To God.
2. Prayer Should Flow From A Contrite Heart.
3. Your Prayers Should Be Confident.
4. Your Prayers Should Be Concise And To The Point.
5. Your Prayers Should Be Consistent And Constant.
6. Pray In Jesus' Name.
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