4 Reasons Why We Pray in Jesus’ Name
If you’ve grown up in church, to pray in Jesus’ name might be second nature to you. Most of us don’t even remember who taught us to do it. Have you ever stopped to think about why you’re saying that, or what it really means?
If you’re new to Christianity and can’t figure out why everyone is saying this at the end of their prayers—it’s not just tradition. It’s the reality of who you are and who God is that you can step into. If you can grasp this reality it will completely change your life, prayer life, and the way you see God!
Praying in Jesus’ name is so much more than a tradition, it’s the very power of our prayers. Here are a few reasons why you should pray in this name.
- Jesus is our access in prayer
- Jesus is the name above every name
- God tells us to pray in Jesus’ name
- Jesus knows our weaknesses
Jesus is Our Access in Prayer
Jesus is the beginning and the end. The only way we are able to approach God is because of what Jesus did for us. When He died on the cross, He paid the price for our sin that separates us from God.
If you accept Jesus as your Savior and confess that He is Lord, Jesus will tear the veil that stands between you and God’s presence. As a result of what Jesus did on the cross, we are eternally accepted by the Father. Now, when the Father looks at you, He sees Jesus, not your sin. This is why we can confidently approach God.
As sons and daughters, we have the ability to ask the Father for what we need, and He will hear us, because Jesus paid the price.
But we come under the name of Jesus, not our own names. We come to the Father and ask for what we need THROUGH the name of Jesus—because Jesus is our access.
Jesus is the Name Above Every Name
There’s a lot of names out there today. People are influenced by names, whether it’s a president, actor, singer or athlete. And whatever these people do make a serious impact on those who follow them. Names in politics are especially powerful, as the decisions of our country hang in the balance.
There are also names given to us that can hold weight and influence over us. Maybe it’s the name of a sickness—cancer for example. This name can really affect how we live, and can cause immense fear. The names people call us, good or bad, can also have an effect on us if we choose to accept them.
So what kind of impact does the name Jesus have on the world?
Philippians 2:5-11 tells us that Jesus, who was with God in heaven, left His throne and humbled Himself to become a man. Not only that, but He “humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” Because of His obedience, God the Father gave Him the highest position as King of the universe, and gave Him this:
“the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.”
Instead of a rags to riches story, it’s a riches, to rags, to King-of-the-whole-world story. Now that Jesus is seated on the throne next to His Father, the Father gives Jesus the name above every other name. Above cancer, above Elon Musk, above Lebron James, above anxiety—above EVERY name.
The name Jesus actually means “Yaweh saves” or “God saves, delivers”. The name Jesus carries with it power, and a Kingdom. His Kingdom, as it invades earth, will change everything.
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God Tells Us to Pray in Jesus’ Name
During Jesus’ ministry on earth, something He told His disciples to do repeatedly was to ask for things in His name, and He would give it to them. Too good to be true? Look at this:
Jesus says in John 14:13 “I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”
Now of course, we can’t expect Jesus to do things for us that aren’t a part of His Kingdom or in His heart for us. But what an amazing truth, that we can just ASK! We don’t have to strive, worry, do it ourselves, or phone a friend. We can just ask.
After Jesus rose from the dead, He met with His disciples on His way back to His Kingdom in heaven. Jesus tells them that “all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” (Matthew 28:18) Meaning that when God gave Him the highest name, He also gave Jesus the highest authority. But catch this, His next sentence is a total game changer.
“Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
Basically, Jesus says, “I’ve been given all the power in the universe, and since you’re my followers—you can access that power too through my name.”
Mark 16:17 says it well:
“In my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues, they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
Warning: bold prayers result in a call to bold action!
A lot of times, when we pray for something, God uses us as the vessel He to bring about the answer. So be ready to step up to the plate when you sense His leading.
Jesus Knows Our Weaknesses
When we pray in the name of Jesus, we are praying in the name of a suffering Savior. Jesus lived 33 years on earth, growing up as a human in a broken world. He knows what it’s like to be in pain, to suffer and to be tempted. We have a High Priest that sympathizes with the worst of our experiences.
But we also pray in the name of a Savior who has assured that our trials will result in celebration—our labor will result in overwhelming delight. Jesus holds the ability and deep desire to see our joy made complete. He both sees and holds our sorrow while working and molding toward our ultimate joy. This means there is no emotion, question, longing or desire that cannot be trusted in the name of Jesus.
Try it For Yourself!
Now it’s your turn! What are your needs? Bring them to the Father, and remember that if you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you are coming to the Father under the name of Jesus.
Through the name of Jesus, you have access to a God who hears, sees and knows your pain. Ask the Father for what you need, and ask with faith believing that you will receive it. Don’t be surprised if He starts giving you opportunities to be the answer to your own prayers!
If you’re looking for a church community, we encourage you to visit Restore Houston! We built our church around connection in order to breed restoration. We gather on Sundays, in small groups and we serve our community. All with the goal to see Jesus restore all things. Bring your questions, doubts—all of YOU. There’s room for you here.
