"...In Jesus' Name"

Centuries ago a commander in the king’s army approached a cottage and called for all the sons of the family who were old enough to fight in battle. The parents released their sons and the sons went willingly – The commander had come in the name of the king!

In that example, we understand that the word of the commander was not his own, but rather the word of the king. The family did not see the king’s face or hear his voice, but they recognized the king’s authority and responded accordingly.

As Christians, we have been given the right to approach God and make requests in the name of Jesus, our King. In a prayer, when we say the words, “in Jesus’ name,” we are not casting a spell or a charm. There is no magic that compels God as if we have power over Him by speaking the right words in the right order on the right occasion.

In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I will request the Father on your behalf; for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from the Father. 

 —John 16:26-27

In this statement Jesus assured His disciples that in His absence they themselves would have the right to speak to God. “In Jesus’ name” was not a new rule for ending prayers, but the way in which the disciples of Jesus would identify themselves when approaching God in prayer.

Does God know you?

“Yes, of course,” you reply.

Yet, in what way?

Without Jesus you are no different than any other sinner. God gives no special privileges to one sinner over another. So, as a sinner you have no expectation that God would respond to your words or my words when we speak on our own, that is, in our own name. Would we dare to approach God to speak to Him face-to-face in our name?

Without Jesus we are rebellious sinners. As humans we broke the original relationship the Creator had with his created. We are unholy.

However, God does recognize Jesus. So, when Christians approach God, speaking in the name of Jesus...God springs forward to listen, to give gifts, to protect, to assist, to forgive. He responds to those He loves, and He loves those who are clothed with Christ, those who have devoted their lives to Jesus the King.

_________________________

Do not take lightly the words that you speak in prayer to God. The words, “...in Jesus’ name,” are not added to a prayer as a command. Nor are they magic as if to control or manipulate Deity. Nor are they a trite ending to our prayers like an “excuse me” after a sneeze (just good manners).

When we pray we ought to remember that we have been given the privilege to speak to God, but in Jesus’ name. Considering that privilege, we ought to give thought to the content of our prayers. When we speak to God in Jesus’ name, the things we say ought to reflect the will of our Savior, and not our self-centered will. Then, when we stand before God, we stand with the assurance that Jesus spoke of. We can be confident that God will listen and respond to those who come to him with a heart of humility and faith...

...In Jesus’ name.

Mark Stinnett

November 5, 2023

'Caught Off Guard' Concerning Prayer

A non-believer once explained that prayer is a good thing; it is a way for a person to get things off his/her chest. For the non-believer I suppose you could achieve the same psychological release by talking to your dog, or the fire hydrant your dog is so fond of.

Yet, we know that God is real. Prayer is not just a psychological release. God really listens. But does He always listen???

In John 9:31 someone said, “God does not hear sinners.” Yet, there are examples in Scripture that seem to counter that statement. How do we make sense of the exceptions?

The sinner in John 9:31 is not simply that person whose life is marred by sin, but the one who has turned away from God and who refuses to listen to His instruction. That is also the sense of a proverb of Solomon:

The Lord is far from the wicked, But He hears the prayer of the righteous.
—Proverbs 15:29 (NASB95)

There was an occasion in Israel’s history when they were oppressed by a foreign power. They cried out to God and He all but taunted them with their past. He reminded them that he had delivered them from many foreign enemies and then said…

“Go and cry out to the gods which you have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your distress.” 

—Judges 10:14

God did not respond with assistance until Israel put away their foreign gods. We should learn that unless we step away from evil and turn toward God, He will not respond favorably.

Jesus taught that when a person prays with wrong motives (to grab attention from other people), he will receive nothing from God. The attention is all he will receive. (Matthew 6:5-6)

Husbands, did you know that the way you treat your wife affects your prayer life? You can actually block your prayers from God’s ears if you do not treat your wife as God expects! (1 Peter 3:7)

Did you know that selfishness gets no response?

You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures. 

—James 4:3

These important Scriptures help us to understand that our prayers can be hindered. The last thing you would want is for God to turn a deaf ear when you are at a critical time of need.

It is important for us to be confident as we approach God in prayer. We need to have confidence that God is listening, that nothing is getting in the way of our prayers.

We know that God IS compassionate. God IS gracious. God IS Love. So, we can approach God with our joys and disappointments. We can approach Him when we have overcome and when we have failed. We can share with Him our anxieties, our dreams and even the simple daily happenings of our mundane lives. He cares.

Yet, God IS holy. God IS mighty. God IS Creator. Man is dust. We must approach God with awe and reverence. We must approach in humility.

But to this one I will look, to him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word. 

—Isaiah 66:2

Finally, Jesus told a parable about a widow who bothered a judge over and over in order to obtain justice. His purpose in telling the parable was “to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart.” (Luke 18:1)

Do you want God to listen to you? 

Then... 

   Be righteous; 

      Be faithful; 

         Be humble; 

            Be persistent.


Mark Stinnett

September 19, 2021