Praying

"And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it." [John 14:13, 14]

What does it mean to pray in Jesus name? Some where along the line some believers have come to see this as a magic formula. Say a prayer, end it "in Jesus name, Amen" and God will give  us everything we asked for. When it doesn't happen, our response is to be disappointed in God. The problem is not with God but with our understanding of what it means to ask in Jesus name.

Arthur Pink said it means "to set aside our own wills, accepting God's will."  In reality to pray in Jesus name means that we ask only for what Jesus would ask. Asking nothing out of character with our Savior's character. The best way for us to understand what Jesus would ask for is to study the prayers of Jesus recorded in the gospels. It is recorded in John 12 that Jesus in His humanity struggled with the coming hour of trial [His crucifixion]. John records the struggle with these words, "Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour." [12:27] The very next words that Jesus prays opens our eyes and ears to the very heart of our Savior when He prays, "Father, glorify thy name." [12:28]

It wasn't about escaping a difficult moment or avoiding pain and suffering. It was all about bring glory to God no matter what the circumstance. No one can bring glory to God unless he first focuses on doing the will of God. We can see the Savior mindset when we read about how He prayed in the garden. Listen in on His prayer. "Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt." [Mark 14:36]

When we pray in Jesus name, we are being asked to pray as Jesus did and to ask for what Jesus asked. For our Savior it all began with doing the will of God and glorifying God in doing it. When I look at the way I pray, I need to move to another level and be more concerned about what God wants for me rather than what I want for myself.