Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full (John 16:23-24).

It’s easy to pray to God in a moment of desperation, or politely to tell someone, “I’ll pray for you.” We offer such prayers when we see no alternative, or as a simple courtesy. But such habits can obscure the real purposes of prayer.

Prayers to God in Jesus’ name are powerful instruments of divine blessing. When we pray in Jesus’ name, we are asking God to do whatever is necessary in our lives to bring maximum glory to his Son and maximum good for his purposes.

A prayer in Jesus’ name is not simply a prayer for our personal benefit – that would be a prayer in our name. Prayer in Jesus’ name submits our finite understanding to God’s infinitely good plan to show Christ’s character and care. Whenever we pray in Jesus’ name we are praying as Jesus did: “Yet, not my will, Father, but your will be done.”

So, the next time you pray, do so with confidence that God will always honor prayers truly offered in Jesus’ name – even if the answer is according to his perfect will, rather than our human wisdom!

Prayer:
Father, may my daily prayers be focused on your good plan for Christ’s name and not just my selfish desires. Thank you for the confidence I can have that, when I pray in Jesus’ name, you hear and answer for infinite, eternal good!