I Came From The Father Series

To ask in Jesus’ Name means that we seek the Father’s glory through Jesus the Son of God. To ask in Jesus’ Name means that we are abiding in Christ and not being controlled by our own feelings or sense of entitlement. To ask in Jesus’ Name means that we love the brotherhood and seek to advance the knowledge of Christ as Master. To ask in Jesus’ Name means that we are praying with joy because we are living in joy. This is so much more than merely fulfilling requirements for a ritual or a rite prescribed by ecclesiastical expectations. This is the reason I so often insist that there is a vast difference between saying prayers and praying!

THE ONE WHO PRAYS IN JESUS’ NAME IS ASSURED OF RECEIVING WHAT IS REQUESTED! We have the Master’s promise on this matter. We can be assured that our prayer will be answered! That is powerful! I know that some have gone to seed on this issue. They are teaching that if you “say it” you will have it. This so-called “word-faith” movement is at best heresy. It is a form of idolatry that teaches the deceived to have faith in their own faith. Indeed, the important truth that must never be forgotten is that prayer in Jesus’ Name is not a formula—it is a position. Followers of the Saviour must never imagine that they are simply reciting a formula—they are placing themselves in the centre of Christ’s will; they are standing in Christ’s place before the Father’s throne when they make their request.

The words that Jesus spoke are powerful—powerful because they are true, powerful because of the encouragement they provide to all who receive what He said, powerful because His words lift the human spirit, enabling the believing individual to look into the face of the Father. However, in my estimate, the truly exciting truth is that because of His powerful words, when His people speak in His Name, when those who follow Him speak as the Spirit of Christ prompts us to speak, what His disciples say has incredible power to transform broken humanity. Reciting Jesus’ words to those who are outside the Faith can result in transformation of lost souls into followers of the Christ. Reciting His words can cause a hell-bound sinner to turn away from the mad pursuit of death to embrace life.

The words of the Master, when they are received and incorporated into life, will lift the heart of the individual suffering a crushed and broken spirit; she will be pulled from the filthy morass that sucks her down into mind-numbing despair. The words of the Saviour, spoken to the soul imprisoned in hopelessness, can deliver strength and hope. The words of the Living Christ declared to the weakened saint will impart strength and courage. Jesus’ words have power; and the power that He possessed is given to His followers to be used for His glory.

Focus on the essence of the Master’s words. He is not saying that He will intervene with the Father on our behalf, though He does speak for us; rather, Jesus is saying that we who follow Him will have direct access to the throne of God. Let the import of what I just said sink in: we who follow the Christ now have direct access to the throne of God. The point of these words is that we do not require a priest, a preacher, a pontifex, anyone to approach the throne of God on our behalf. We have full and direct access to the Father’s throne. If you want to focus on the reason for Christ’s First Coming, this is it! In His first advent, He has given us direct and immediate access to the Father. If ever there was encouragement to pray, surely this is it!