What is prayer in Jesus' name?
Introduction. Jesus taught, "And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you" (John 16: 23). Prayer in the name of Jesus, then, is of great importance.
Jesus is mediator between God and man. Paul through the Spirit taught: "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (1 Tim. 2: 5). Jesus officiates both as "advocate" and "High Priest" in the matter of man praying to the Father (1 John 2: 1, Heb. 2: 17-18). Jesus' mediation, advocacy, and High Priesthood are involved in praying in Jesus' name.
Prayer in Jesus' name means more than simply praying by Jesus' authority. To do something in another's name usually means simply by their authority (Acts 4: 7, the view that "in the name of Jesus" only constitutes a formula which must be said is incorrect, cf. Col. 3: 17). However, Jesus had heretofore taught them regarding prayer (Matt. 6: 5-15). Yet, Jesus said, "Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name..." (John 16: 24). A key to understanding prayer in the name of Jesus is "And in that day..." (vs. 23). Jesus had to die and resurrect (vss. 19-22). His resurrection would proclaim him "to be the Son of God with power..." (Rom. 1: 4). To ask in Jesus' name means to acknowledge Jesus' authority, especially in the sense of his power or ability as the resurrected Son of God, the High Priest, advocate, and one mediator between God and man.
Answered prayer is a wonderful blessing. Prayer is indeed designed for God's faithful people (1 John 3: 22). We must meet the conditions for answered prayer, though, and prayer "in the name of Jesus" is one of those conditions. Through Jesus' efficacy and man's faithful obedience, the Christian enjoys answered prayer! Without Jesus and his power, there is no hope (Eph. 2: 12).
Jesus is mediator between God and man. Paul through the Spirit taught: "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (1 Tim. 2: 5). Jesus officiates both as "advocate" and "High Priest" in the matter of man praying to the Father (1 John 2: 1, Heb. 2: 17-18). Jesus' mediation, advocacy, and High Priesthood are involved in praying in Jesus' name.
Prayer in Jesus' name means more than simply praying by Jesus' authority. To do something in another's name usually means simply by their authority (Acts 4: 7, the view that "in the name of Jesus" only constitutes a formula which must be said is incorrect, cf. Col. 3: 17). However, Jesus had heretofore taught them regarding prayer (Matt. 6: 5-15). Yet, Jesus said, "Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name..." (John 16: 24). A key to understanding prayer in the name of Jesus is "And in that day..." (vs. 23). Jesus had to die and resurrect (vss. 19-22). His resurrection would proclaim him "to be the Son of God with power..." (Rom. 1: 4). To ask in Jesus' name means to acknowledge Jesus' authority, especially in the sense of his power or ability as the resurrected Son of God, the High Priest, advocate, and one mediator between God and man.
Answered prayer is a wonderful blessing. Prayer is indeed designed for God's faithful people (1 John 3: 22). We must meet the conditions for answered prayer, though, and prayer "in the name of Jesus" is one of those conditions. Through Jesus' efficacy and man's faithful obedience, the Christian enjoys answered prayer! Without Jesus and his power, there is no hope (Eph. 2: 12).