Why Pray In Jesus' Name
Have you ever wondered why Christians end their prayers “…in Jesus’ name”? And no, it is not some dogmatic rule set in place by men with robes who lived centuries ago. Like most things that Jesus taught when He was on earth, it has more to do with inner conviction rather than outer conformity. “In Jesus’ name” means something and it highlight several significant truths. Aside from because Jesus said so, 2 beliefs drive this practice. We pray in Jesus’ name because:
1. Jesus gives us access to God.
Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand…
Conflict pushes people apart. It happens in playgrounds, in marriages, and even entire countries that have been ravaged by war. What is true at our earthly level is also true at a cosmic level with disastrous consequences.
The Bible teaches (and Christians believe) that people are separated not just from each other, but from God as well. This separation is among other things primarily moral in nature. Nobody is perfect as they said, which is precisely the point. God is perfect and the perfect cannot abide the imperfect. Every major religion across history have recognised to a degree this separation and each has developed ways of bridging the gap so to speak. The most common being ritual sacrifice.
Christians likewise firmly believe that a sacrifice must be made if our prayers are to be heard by God. But what makes Jesus utterly unique is His claim that instead of people offering sacrifices to God, God would offer His Son up as a sacrifice. The work that Jesus accomplished when He was crucified is what theologians call atonement. Think at-one-ment. The work that brought two parties together. This is summarised for us in Romans 5:1-2.
We pray in Jesus’ name because Jesus gives us access to God. Why else would God even bother to listen to us?
2. Jesus advocates for us before God.
Romans 8:31 If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
Access to God would make us comparable to angels, which says a lot on its own. But who wants to go into Disneyland if not for actually enjoying the rides? Jesus doesn’t just give us access to God; He advocates for us before God. Winning an audience with the King is something. But convincing him to act on our behalf is entirely another matter.
The Bible teaches that Jesus didn’t just die a sacrificial death, but He rose again from the dead and ascended to God. Do you ever wonder what Jesus is doing right at this moment? The Bible tells us that He is at the right hand of God interceding for us. Praying for us. In other words, Jesus advocates on our behalf. Every time we pray in Jesus’ name, Jesus is there speaking well of us. If that doesn’t fill us with confidence that our prayers are heard, I don’t know what else will.
We pray in Jesus’ name because Jesus advocates for us before God. Why else would God even bother to do anything for us?