For the follower of Jesus, many of us end our prayers with “In Jesus’ name” or “In the name of Jesus.” But have we stopped to ask why? Are these “magic” words to guarantee God hears us? Or is there something deeper—something more hopeful and glorious?
Praying in Jesus’ name is not mere verbiage—it’s 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—now and forever. God is truly pleased with us because of Jesus, and He is always working for our good to bring us safely home. Along the way, we are empowered to live holy lives and find joy in glorifying His name.
Praying in Jesus’ name means praying according to His will and character. Jesus says in John 14:13–14, “Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” To pray in His name is to pray in alignment with who He is, what He cares about, and what brings the Father glory. It’s not a blank check to get whatever we want—it’s a way of making our requests with hearts set on God’s purposes. It’s thinking like Jesus. It’s representing His interests, not just our own.
Praying in Jesus’ name is praying by the Spirit. It glorifies the Father and is essential to the work assigned to every believer (Ephesians 2:10). It’s an awareness of our true position: justified and reconciled to God through Christ. By the Spirit, we are reminded that the Father hears our prayers. Think about this, the Spirit and the Son are both interceding for us (Romans 8:26, 34)! Isn’t that amazing?!
Our prayers are answered because of the finished work of Jesus. Whatever we ask in His name is heard—not because of a phrase we say, but because of our position in Him. Because we are in Christ, the Father accepts both us and our prayers.
It’s all because of Jesus—His work and His Person. That’s why, by the Spirit, we can confidently pray in His name. We are in Him forever, sealed by His blood.
Let’s make our requests known.