"In Jesus' name" is as much a part of our prayers as "our Father in heaven." Our supplications would feel incomplete without it, even if we do not fully realize its implications. For many, it is something that must be said before the amen. Yet when we understand what we are saying, we will be humbled by the privilege of praying “in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20). Here are a few thoughts to consider from it. 

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We should know that the phrase is not a blanket statement or magic chant we must utter to get what we want. Instead, it is a humble plea for God to receive our prayer through Jesus – the one and only Mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5), and a sincere request for Him to consider our petition. We are so unworthy of approaching our holy God because of our sins and wickedness. Yet, because of the powerful blood of Jesus Christ, we can go boldly before the throne of grace and have our prayers heard as forgiven sinners. Who among us is worthy of such honor? Yet, that is what is possible because of Jesus’ name. “Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him since He always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25). This is why Paul wrote, “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Colossians 3:17). To pray in that glorious name is our way of letting the Father know that we acknowledge the greatness and importance of Jesus and that without Him we would have no chance of having our prayers heard. Amazing!

 

To pray in Jesus’ name is to also let God know that we seek His will being done in response to our request. We may want a particular outcome to our prayer, but “in Jesus' name” we understand that He knows what is best for us and that we are willing to abide in His response. When Paul was facing an unwanted burden, he found consolation in accepting Jesus’ will with his circumstance instead of what he wanted. He wrote: 

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“Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Corinthians 12:8-10).

 

The apostle John said it this way, “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us” (1 John 5:14). So, we wrap up our request with the Lord’s name because we are letting God know that we will accept whatever He thinks is best for us. It is a humble acknowledgment that even Jesus Himself uttered when confronted with His own trials – “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done” (Luke 22:42). We are imitating His example in petitioning the Father through His authority as Christ. 

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And then we pray in our Savior’s name because we want it to be known that we intend to live by His will regardless of how He answers our prayer. We are declaring through Jesus that we intend to obey Him in all things. God’s word says, “One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination” (Proverbs 28:9). Yet since we are praying in our Lord’s name, we are acknowledging our awareness of our need to obey God for our prayers to be heard. It is like Peter wrote, “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil” (1 Peter 3:12). We humbly come before the Ancient of Days through His Son because we want Him to know we intend to obey His word in all things.

 

So, let us pray to our merciful God with conviction, humility, reverence, and great confidence. We are approaching Someone Who loves us, cares for us, and will do what is best for us; and because of His Son, we can do so. And since we are bathing our prayers in our Savior’s name, we are demonstrating our understanding of God’s word and a willingness to accept His response.

 

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen” (Ephesians 3:20-21). 

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In Jesus' name, amen. 

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Mike Thomas