"Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son (John 14:13)."
"For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst (Matthew 18:20)."
We have a funny way of viewing this passage sometimes. In our prayer life, whether we are asking for something or declaring something we say 'In Jesus Name' at the end. There is nothing essentially wrong with that but we often times do it as if stamping that statement on the end of our prayer validates and give authority to what we said. This is a sad representation of what the scriptures are saying.
When Jesus talks about asking in 'my name' he literally means to, 'ask as me'. Because of Jesus we can relate with God and the world with the same authority that He had. When our identity is rooted in what Jesus accomplished on the cross we have accepted our right standing with God. We have confidence in the presence of God because of where we have been established in and through Christ. "Such confidence we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming form ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life (2 Cor. 3:4-6)."
Saying "in Jesus name" and having confidence that this statement gives validity to our prayer is silly and is not based in faith. Faith and authority come from being established in the grace of God, knowing His will, and understanding our purpose. There is no formula for proclaiming the kingdom of heaven or talking to God. We have confidence because we are His children, He is our Father, and Christ is our Redeemer.
So be assured today of your standing with God. If you are unsure go read about God's promises about who you are! You belong to the heavenly family and that is why your prayers carry validity and are heard. Walk in authority, proclaim the kingdom, and rejoice that your names are written in heaven!!
I've heard that this relates to saying something on behalf of the King. Like, after a proclamation the proclaimer would say, "In the name of Caesar". When we say "Jesus" instead of "Caesar" we are saying to the powers and principalities of darkness that our power comes from JESUS, not anyone else.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it's silly at all to say "in the name of Jesus" after a prayer. We say that because it's BECAUSE OF JESUS that we have the authority to pray. We say the name of JESUS because the name of JESUS has POWER and sets us apart from other people who may be praying to other gods and spirits.
Also it's because of JESUS that we can talk to God at all.
I still disagree. Ready for a long response!?
ReplyDelete"Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, "In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this.[One day] the evil spirit answered them, "Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?" Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding. When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor (Acts 19:14-17)."
The name of Jesus in the end was held in high honor, but it couldn't have been because the name was powerful otherwise it would have worked for the Jews. The Jews however did not believe in Jesus and so were not given the same authority that He was given. If Jesus name is powerful than which language should I speak it in? English, Greek, Hebrew?
We are given authority over demons just as Jesus had authority. I can say 'in Jesus name' but its not a tagline, the demons either leave or they don't. That depends on my relationship with the Lord, and ultimately my faith in what He accomplished and the authority that he has given me. Also I have experienced during deliverance times some people think yelling the name of Jesus will make the demons leave; as if they think demons are afraid of loud noises. But it really reflects fear in themselves and insecurity in their understanding of the authority they have been given.
Now I have heard testimonies where people have said 'Jesus' during demonic attacks and they have been released, but ultimately that is because that statement invited the presence of God and he dealt with it. But the scriptures show that the power does not come in the name of Jesus. We can become vessels of his abiding presence to the point that wherever we go the Spirit rests upon us.
"ónoma – name; (figuratively) the manifestation or revelation of someone's character, i.e. as distinguishing them from all others. Thus "praying in the name of Christ" means to pray as directed (authorized) by Him, bringing revelation that flows out of being in His presence. "Praying in Jesus' name" therefore is not a "religious formula" just to end prayers (or get what we want)!
["According to Hebrew notions, a name is inseparable from the person to whom it belongs, i.e. it is something of his essence. Therefore, in the case of the God, it is specially sacred"
Geeze, you weren't kidding about LONG. ;)
ReplyDeleteWhat about this?
Acts 3:6-8
6 Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.
Or Acts 16:18
18 She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so troubled that he turned around and said to the spirit, "In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!" At that moment the spirit left her.
Or Ephesians 5:19-21
19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
I agree, that saying "in Jesus Name" at the end of the prayer shouldn't be used as a formula or to get what we want. I guess I haven't heard that people do it for that reason! But to call it baseless and silly is a bit extreme, wouldn't you agree?
P.S. I hear what you're saying about needing to first be a follower of Christ before the name of Jesus holds any power. THAT I agree with. :)
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, I'm sure there are stories of unbelievers calling out in the Name of Jesus to be rescued from whatever situation and Jesus actually showing up and rescuing them. Can't say that for sure, but it seems plausible to me. Nothing is impossible for God!
I think that in those verses, when the say 'in Jesus name' they are talking about the authority that comes from their relationship with Him. I don't think there is a need for it to be said for the authority to be utilized or to function. When they say 'in the name of Jesus' they are referring to a much greater reality than a spoken word. It is filled with faith and a conviction of their standing with and in Him. Many Christians do not have faith in where the Lord has established them and so they never learn to walk in authority. In this sense, saying the name of Jesus isn't going to make their prayers any more effective. What they need is a revelation of their identity in the Lord to increase their faith which manifests the presence of God.
ReplyDeleteI think it is silly to think saying the name itself is authoritative or brings things under the influence of God. Things are under the influence of me because I am under the influence of God. It is a spiritual reality that manifests in the physical.