Asking in Christ‘s Name

“Whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, this will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son” (John 14:13)

The Lord spoke of prayer in John 14-16, and each time, He mentioned the phrase, “in My name.” What does “in My name” mean? Is it something like what you write at the close of a letter, such as “Yours respectfully,” or “Yours sincerely,” or some other form of complimentary close? Are not too many of our prayers closed with it being such an expression? I am sure that we do not mean it to be just a formality, but sometimes it seems almost like an appendix to the prayer. No, to ask in His name means rather to be praying having His desires flowing through our hearts.

His “name” means what He is, His nature, and therefore to pray in the name of Christ means to be praying according to His blessed will.

What I pray for should really be an expression of His nature. Prayer should breathe the power of the Holy Spirit, the mind of Christ, and His desire for us. A prayer should not be closed with the words, “In the blessed name of our Lord” or their equivalent, unless it be infiltrated and permeated by His character.

We should pray, not so much for ourselves, as “that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” How powerful a motive that is to guide our intercession and supplication! Let it test us! Doing so will eliminate a thousand selfish, fleshly, superficial requests. Note that there is no limit here, for, if we are praying in His name, we are praying His own thoughts and His own desires. Also, it is indeed difficult to do as we ought, to turn instinctively, without effort, to God in prayer for everything.

S.R.