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John 14:13, 14 - Pray In Jesus Name And You Will Receive.

John 14:13, 14 (NIV) And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

John 14:13, 14 (CWR) Whatever you ask me to do for you, I'll do it, as long as you ask for it in the same spirit that I would. Then your actions will glorify the Father just as mine have. 14 So ask for what you need in order to accomplish my mission and I'll do it for you.

WORD STUDY

In My Name: Not simply prayer that mentions Jesus' name but prayer in accordance with all that the person who bears the name is. It is prayer aimed at carrying forward the work Jesus did - prayer that he himself will answer. [NIV SB 2020]

In My Name: Praying in Jesus' name means praying in a way consistent with his character and his will (a person's name in the ancient world represented what the person was like); it also means coming to God in the authority of Jesus. Probably both senses are intended here. Adding "in Jesus' name" at the end of every prayer is neither required nor wrong. Effective prayer must ask for and desire what Jesus delights in. [ESV SB 2008]

INTRODUCTION

When Jesus says we can ask for anything, we must remember that our asking must be in his name - that is, according to God's character and will. God will not grant requests contrary to his nature or his will, and we cannot use his name as a magic formula to fulfill our selfish desires. If we are sincerely following God and seeking to do his will, then our requests will be in line with what he wants, and he will grant them. [Life Application SB 2019]

COMMENTARY PEARLS

The disciples were to carry their work forward in Christ's name. Their every word and act was to fasten attention on His name, as possessing that vital power by which sinners may be saved. Their faith was to center in Him who is the source of mercy and power. In His name they were to present their petitions to the Father, and they would receive answer. They were to baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Christ's name was to be their watchword, their badge of distinction, their bond of union, the authority for their course of action, and the source of their success. Nothing was to be recognized in His kingdom that did not bear His name and superscription. AA28

As they met together after the ascension they were eager to present their requests to the Father in the name of Jesus. In solemn awe they bowed in prayer, repeating the assurance, "Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in My name, He will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in My name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full." John 16:23, 24. SC74

COMMENTARY

Powerful Prayer
   In 1836, the lives of orphans, many as young as four years old working in slave-like conditions in workhouses, began to change in Bristol, England. George Muller, a man of prayer and action, decided to open a home for them. The first group home of 30 children soon grew to five orphanages that would help 17,556 children before it closed in 1950. All the money to buy the land, build the orphanages, feed and clothe the children, and pay operating expenses came because of prayer. George never fund-raised or held a bake sale. Instead, the Lord answered his prayers by impressing people to give the equivalent of 7 million in today's money for his ministry.
   George knew how to pray. He understood that prayer is power. It could humble the proud, strengthen the weak, heal the sick, feed and clothe the poor, and even cause fire to come down from heaven. God wants us to use this power. He tells us, "Whatever you ask in My name, that I will do." Jesus applied this verse beautifully when He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane. While His heart was burdened with what He was about to endure, He prayed to have the penalty of sin "pass from [Him]," but He added the key ingredient by saying, "nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will" (Matthew 26:39). Our own self-interest must be put aside to allow room for the will of the Father to be done. Then we will see miraculous answers to our prayers.
   God has given you a powerful tool to communicate with Him. Present your requests to the Lord and watch the wonderful ways He will answer.
   Loving Father, thank You for the power of prayer to transform my life! [The Most Amazing Bible Promises by Amazing Facts]

God's True Purposes
   Prayer links us with God's true purposes, for us and for the world. It not only brings the blessings of God's will to our own personal lives, it brings us the added blessing of being in step with God's plan.
   Prayer also - in ways we will never fully understand this side of eternity - makes us partners with God in what He is doing in the world. God works through our prayers!
   The model prayer Jesus has given us concludes with "Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory for ever" (Matt. 6:13 KJV). Remember, too, that we must seek God's glory in our prayers and not just our own selfish desires. If we are to have our prayers answered, we must be willing to give God the glory when He acts - no matter what the result. Our Lord said to His disciples,
   "Whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son" (John 14:13). [Hope for Each Day by Billy Graham]

In Jesus' Name
   These are profound words from the lips of Jesus. Let's examine his promise closely. "I will do whatever you ask in my name." What does that mean? Surely, more than saying "In Jesus' name" at the end of a prayer just before saying the Amen. To pray in the name of Jesus is to pray admitting that God hears me only because I'm the guest of his Son. It's to pray in the bold but respectful way that Jesus did while on earth.
   To pray in Jesus' name is to ask God for the things Jesus taught us to. He summarizes them in the Lord's Prayer: spiritual things, eternal things. "May your kingdom spread... May your plans be accomplished on this rebellious planet... Forgive the way I've treated you... Keep me from falling for the evil that allures me" (Matthew 6:9-13). only one request in six deals with earth-bound matters, and even there he taught us to pray, "Give us this day our daily bread" - not, "Bless the Dow Jones Average and please be with the NASDAQ in the next financial quarter."
   Of course it's not wrong to pray beyond our basic needs - to pray that Susie will find her lost kitten, that none of us will catch colds this winter, and that Christmas will hurry up and get here. God loves to hear pre-schoolers pray. But Jesus also invites grownups to "Cast all your anxiety on him," and "Pray about everything" (1 Peter 5:7; Philippians 4:6). But do we really think Jesus gave us a blank check for an easy life? Do we imagine we can pray our way clear of trials? Think again: "... in your thinking be adults" (1 Corinthians 14:20).
   Your name is precious, Jesus, and I want to come before you in prayer and ask for the sorts of things that are on your heart. Give me your ideas in prayer. [Joni Eareckson Tada Daily Devotional: http://www.joniandfriends.org/daily-devotional]

LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY

Matthew 21:22 - Prayer Power.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2006/20060419-0940.html

Mark 11:22-24 - The Prayer of Faith.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2024/20240429-0848.html

John 15:7 - The Key to Answered Prayer.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2023/20230512-0928.html

John 16:23b - Praying In Jesus Name.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2009/20090527-2113.html

Romans 8:32 - Will Not God Give Us All Things That Are For Our Good.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2024/20240807-1218.html

1 John 5:14, 15 - Conditions for Answered Prayer.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2024/20240119-0719.html

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

https://abible.com/links/