Most people have had the relative joy of putting together a piece of furniture like that purchased from Ikea. Try as hard as I might almost always end up putting it together, realizing that this piece or that is incorrect and then backtracking multiple steps, or all the way to the beginning.
And that experience is after looking at the instructions and trying to be careful. Which way does it go?
Praying has often been understood to be as difficult as those instructions. We believe that God has made strict rules and sits in heaven with some kind of checklist grading our “performance.” He, theoretically, waits for us to fail in keeping the rules and then refuses to hear our prayer.
This article outlines the first of nine guidelines Scripture has given us for prayer. Each of these help us to pray more effectively. Each guideline helps us into the presence of our Father who longs to listen to us. Psalm 10:17 records God’s promise, “You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry.”
Our challenge is to be as bold as Queen Esther stepping into the throne room of the king. We do not have to be afraid. He has opened the way for you. Step in.
The first guideline is to pray in Jesus’ name. Two passages make this invitation clear. (John 14:13-14, 16:23-28) Before Jesus prayed for Himself, His followers, and all believers. He taught us to pray.
14:13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
16:23 In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will you whatever you ask in my name.
Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.
25 “Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father.
26 In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf.
27 No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. 28 I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.”
Jesus’ promise about prayer here cannot be separated from the other Biblical commands, but we are reassured by the truth that our prayers can be answered because of the access we have to God through the name of Jesus.
We enter the throne room of God because of He has given us access. Paul elaborates: “For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.”
To be certain, this phrase is NOT some “magic” formula. It is not that we say those words and suddenly our prayers are answered.
No, praying in Jesus’ name is about the connection we have with God. We can pray through who He is. Three questions about praying in Jesus’ name will be answered.
First, what are the prerequisites for such a prayer? What do I need to know first? We pray in Jesus’ name ONLY when we pray in accordance with His character and His will. We pray in line with the will and plan of the Savior. This kind of prayer assumes that we act like Jesus, longing to follow His plan.
Second, the foundation of this prayer. Three key words that must be a part of praying in Jesus’ name. We have a specific cry, to a specific person, and expecting a specific answer.
Call. We cry out to the Lord. The Greek word is Epikaléō. It means “to call on someone as a helper or as one’s ally.” We call out because we need His help.
Name. The name of the Lord refers to His character, His person, who he is and what he can do. We come into the presence of God appealing to His being.
Lord. We must never get too far into our prayer life without pausing to remember whose court we enter. We come into the presence of the self-existent God.
Third, how can we be certain that a prayer in Jesus’ name is answered? Since this is NOT a magic formula how do we follow this command?
We pray in Jesus’ name based on who Jesus is. He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is the Risen Lord who is seated beside the Father. He has access to the throne room. We have no right to pray based on who we are. We have every right because of who He is.
We pray in Jesus’ name because of what He has done. He is the one who paid the price for our Salvation. He secured our access to the Father with His blood. Our actions can never secure our entrance into His presence. His actions have forever settled the matter.
We pray in Jesus’ name because of what He is like. He is loving, kind and gracious. He is holy and righteous. He lives right now, seated by the Father functioning as our Great High Priest. He is faithful to pray to the Father for us as our intercessor.
As you pray today know that you can come into the presence of the Lord. While you are praying out of the midst of your burden, Jesus is praying with and for you. Come boldly but come!
Mike Friesz is the pastor of Calvary Baptist Church. He can be reached by email at drmikefriesz@sbcglobal.net.
