In Jesus' Name: What It Means to Pray In His Name

  By: Lauren Thomas

Most prayers I have heard spoken aloud end with the words, “in Jesus’ name.” In general, most Christian prayers end with these words. But have you given them much thought? Why do we add these words and what do they actually mean?

 

¹³ Whatever you ask in my name, I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. ¹⁴ If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.

John 14:13-14 ESV

In three places in the Gospel of John Jesus tells His disciples that by praying “in my name,” they will receive what they request (John 14:13-14; John 15:16; John 16:23-24). And yet, nowhere in the Bible do we find a prayer that ends with the words, “in Jesus’ name.” In the Old Testament, Jesus had not been revealed incarnate, so it makes sense that no such prayers occurred there. In the New Testament, the majority of prayers are Jesus’ own prayers (which don’t end with “in my name”); so, it makes sense that His don’t end that way. That leaves the prayers in Acts and epistles. But none of them end with the phrase “in Jesus’ name.”

 

That shouldn’t be surprising, considering that Jesus did not say, “if you ask anything and add the words, ‘in Jesus’ name,’ I will do it for you.” So why do we use those words and what do they mean?

 

1. Praying in Jesus’ name means praying on His authorization, on the basis of His work as mediator. We come on His authority, not our own. We come because of the work He did on the cross and the mediating He does as our Great High Priest (see themes throughout Hebrews).
2. Praying in Jesus’ name means praying according to His character. In the Bible, a person’s name and their character were closely connected. To have a good name meant to have a good reputation, a good character. We do not come before God based on our merits, which are as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6), but by Jesus’ merits and His righteousness.
3. Praying in Jesus’ name means praying according to His will. See 1 John 5:14-15. We do not demand that God meet our requests, rather we pray according to His will. His will is revealed to us through the Bible and through the Holy Spirit. When we do not know His will, we pray like Jesus prayed, “not my will but yours be done” (Luke 22:42).

 

This information shows us that it is not necessary to add these words in order for God to grant our prayers. They are not a magic spell. They do not put a stamp of approval on our prayers. Rather, the importance lies in what the words mean, the humility they necessitate in us, and the sincerity in which we pray. And so, we pray, “in Jesus’ name,” from sincere and humble hearts.

 

Reflection:

Prior to reading this post, what was your understanding of the meaning of, “in Jesus’ name”?

Consider other phrases that could be included in your prayers that convey the same meaning in different words. Use these variations next time you pray as a way to bring to mind the great meaning of praying “in His name”!