“… we pray in the name of Jesus. Amen” Many of us are familiar with that closing refrain—prayers are often ended with an appeal to “the name of Jesus.” In part, this is out of obedience to John 14:13-14 where Jesus directs the disciples: “Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it” (emphasis added). This has become almost part of the ritual of our prayers, much like adding “amen” at the end. Of course, it should not be used as a blind ritual, but with great meaning and understanding.
Contrary to popular usage, there is no magic in the phrase—it is not as though there is something in the words that force God’s hand, compelling Him to obey your desires. It is not the words, but the meaning behind them that make Jesus’ promise real.
So, what does it mean to evoke “the name of Jesus?”
When we pray in the name of Jesus, we declare our dependency upon Him, that our requests are made with His authority, according to His will, and relies upon His merits not our own.
- Our dependence upon Jesus. Praying in His name acknowledges that we depend upon His work, His actions, and His blessings.
- Approaching with authority. In humility, we recognize that we come to the Lord only by His grace, only as He calls and wills.
- Alignment with God’s will. We ask for things in Jesus’ name that are consistent with His character, His purpose, and His Kingdom, rather than out of selfish desire.
- Relying on His merits alone. Acknowledging Jesus in our prayers reminds us that God’s blessings come from His faithfulness and obedience.
Grounding our thoughts, prayers, and actions “in the name of Jesus,” signifies that we approach God through Jesus as mediator, acknowledging that access to the Father is only possible through the Savior’s sacrifice. We are, in short, because of our connection with Him, and so our prayers reflect His character.
In our text this week, Acts 3, Peter evokes the name of Jesus multiple times, each time expressing His character, His purpose, and His Kingdom.
In preparation for worship this week, read Acts 3.
- What is the significance of the location of this miracle? Where are Peter and John? When? What difference might that make for how we understand this miracle?
- After commanding him to rise and walk (verse 6), Peter took the man “by the hand.” What different options are present here for why Peter did this? How might this reflect upon our own ministries?
- Luke, the author of Acts, is known to have been a practicing physician. How is his training part of the witness of these verses? Look at how Luke describes the healing of the man.
- What is the immediate cause of Peter’s sermon here? How is that similar to his sermon in Acts 2? Peter as before stresses the focus on Jesus. Why is that necessary here?
- As in his Pentecost sermon, Peter draws great attention to the Old Testament prophecies of Jesus. To see them, list out the titles or adjectives, applied to Jesus in this text. How might they connect to the Old Testament?
By Henry Knapp