Many of us who have been walking with the Lord have used the words “In Jesus name,” or “In the name of Jesus” when ending our prayers. Some of us even make declarations, and at the end of our statements we say the same thing, "In Jesus name," or "In the name of Jesus." Why do we end our prayers or statements this way? Are these special words we have to use to be sure our prayers are answered by the Father? Maybe there's something more glorious and hopeful when it comes to praying in Jesus’ name. Text like John 14:14 tell us that we should make our request in Jesus' name. Is John 14:14 saying that the Father is obligated to give us everything we ask for when we say “In Jesus’ name?”
Praying in Jesus’ name is not mere verbiage to be used but it is a position to be enjoyed. For the Christian, our lives are hidden in Jesus, right now. “For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3). Our penalty for sin has been paid for, now and forever. Our God is truly pleased with us because of Jesus, and He is always working for our good to be sure that we make it home to Him. On our way home we are empowered to live holy lives, and we receive the joy and satisfaction in glorifying His name. After Jesus paid for our sins He rose from the dead. When He rose from the dead it was very important that He return to the Father.
When He returned to the Father He took us with Him. He took us back as justified sinners because of His work. Although He went back to heaven, at the same time He left us here to reveal true glory by the Spirit. That’s what the Spirit does. Purchased lives receive the Holy Spirit to reveal to the world the glory and love of God in and through Jesus. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would be sent. Jesus said this about the Spirit, “When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth, for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak, and He will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for He will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that He will take what is mine and declare it to you” (John 16:13-15).
Having the Spirit while Jesus is in heaven is the same as being in Jesus; it *is* being in Jesus. Praying in Jesus’ name is praying by the Spirit; praying in Jesus’ name glorifies the Father; praying in Jesus’ name is needed because of the work that’s set for every Christian. While feasting on Jesus and receiving comfort from the Father, we’re able to endure because of the Spirit. Prayer in Jesus' name is an awareness of the reality of our position, justified by God because of Jesus, and reconciled to God because of Jesus. Prayer in Jesus' name shows us by the Spirit that the Father hears our prayers the same way He hears Jesus who's sitting right next to Him (Hebrews 1:3).
This has been bought for us. As justified sinners, our prayers are answered because of the work of Jesus. Through Jesus, the Father answers our prayers for the continual work and joy in Him that’s set before us. Whatever we ask in Jesus' name is answered, not because we merely say, “In Jesus’ name” at the end of our prayers, but because Jesus fully paid for our sins and rose again justifying us. Believers are made righteous because of Him. Not only that, but He also ascended back to the Father with our purchased lives hidden in Him, and because of that, the Father accepts us and our prayers through Jesus. It's because of His work and His Person. This is why by the Spirit we can pray in the name of Jesus. We’re in His Person forever and we're sealed by His blood. Let's make our request known.
“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.” (John 14:12-14)