by Justin Gingrich|July 11, 2022July 20, 2022

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.

[Looking for a church? Visit Restore Houston!]

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.

[Discover Restore Houston]

How to Find Inner Peace in God’s Presence

by Justin Gingrich|May 18, 2022July 12, 2022

How do you find inner peace, when life is out of control?

Maybe you’ve wondered this in the last two years, as the entire planet faced unexpected circumstances. From career and financial stress to illness and extreme changes—we’ve found ourselves lacking.

If you’re already feeling anxious just reading that—this is your sign to keep reading!

God’s peace is a constant reality that is available to you no matter what comes your way. Let’s talk about 3 practices we see in 2 of Jesus’ most famous miracles that will show us how to find inner peace in the midst of chaos.

1. Recognize Your Limits
2. Acknowledge God’s Presence
3. Believe and Feast on God

1. Recognize Your Limits

Most of our anxiety comes from this very realization: we are not enough. We’ve built our inner peace on our own abilities, and when they fail us—anxiety takes over.

John 6:1-15 shows us that Jesus’ disciples were faced with the same realization as He taught a crowd of 5,000 people in a remote area, far away from food and resources.

Jesus turns to Philip and asks, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?”

What a funny question, coming from the Son of God Himself! The Bible says Jesus was testing Philip.

You can see wheels turning his head. Philip answers Jesus quite logically: “Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.”

The odds were stacked against them. Jesus was asking them to do the IMPOSSIBLE. But why would He even ask Philip this question if He knew the answer?

He wanted them to see their limits. Once they realize they can’t figure the situation out, Jesus responds by multiplying the bread so that it feeds all 5,000 people, plus leftovers!

Every single one of us has limits. That means you yourself do not sustain life, but you are given life. Here’s a secret: God created us with limits on purpose so we would need Him—the God of the impossible.

Isn’t this a relief? Let’s acknowledge that for a second; you have limits, and that’s a GOOD thing. This is your first step to finding inner peace in God, recognizing your limits.

Looking for a church in your area? Learn more about Restore Houston Church

2. Acknowledge God’s Presence

The second story we are looking at takes place in John 6:16-21.

It’s nightfall, Jesus had withdrawn to be by Himself. The disciples got into a boat to cross the sea, and the winds became so strong they could hardly make any headway.

They’ve been rowing for 3 or 4 miles in the middle of the night. They’re scared, frustrated, and tired. Their lives are at stake and they don’t know where Jesus is.

Chances are you’re not stuck on a boat with the fear of drowning, but life can often feel that way. When the storms are raging and the intensity is high, the idea of having inner peace sounds like a joke. You’ve probably wondered, “Where is God right now?”

He’s a lot closer than you think.

John 6:19 says the disciples saw Jesus walking on the sea towards the boat. The disciples see him, and like anyone would, they panicked and called it a ghost.

Jesus reassures them, “It is I; do not be afraid.”

In our most overwhelming moments, the presence of Jesus may not be recognizable to us. But if we stop long enough to listen, we will see Him there, walking toward us on the water and getting into the middle of our circumstances with us.

If you’re searching for inner peace in the middle of a storm, take a minute to stop and acknowledge God’s presence.

3. Believe and Feast on God

If you didn’t already guess, Jesus calms the storm, and He and His disciples made it to the other side of the sea. (John 6:25) They got out of the boat to see that the same crowd of 5,000 people they had just fed the day before followed them all the way there. Jesus had now reached celebrity status.

They immediately started asking Him questions. “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?”

Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”

These people were trying to figure out what kind of work they must do. But Jesus was trying to tell them the only requirement for living a life of inner peace and abundance is to believe in God.

More than just loaves and fish, Jesus had revealed to them a promise to believe in: God ALWAYS provides. Believing in this truth will sustain inner peace in God.

Then comes the next question:
“What sign do you do, that we may see and believe you?” “Our fathers ate manna in the wilderness.”

This crowd of 5,000 people had just seen the miraculous. They saw bread and fish multiplied, more than enough for everyone to eat. Yet they still wondered why they should believe in Him.

Jesus answers them in John 6:35, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.”

The crowd responded saying, “Sir, give us this bread always!”

We think there’s a formula to solving our problems, but it’s actually so simple. Never stop feasting on the bread of Jesus. The things he provides: a job, a house, finances are great—but He is the true food. We can have everything we’ve ever wanted and still have no inner peace, because we were made to feed on Him alone.

Your search for inner peace is over. His peace is available to you no matter what you’re going through, and He will never leave or forsake you.

Take some time to be still and recognize your limits, acknowledge God’s presence, and pray this prayer: “Jesus, give me your bread always.” Enjoy this video of one of our favorite worship songs as you sit in God’s presence today.