Magic words?

 Magic Words?

 

You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father.

JOHN 14.13

 

You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.

JOHN 15.16

 

I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name.

JOHN 16.23

 

Do you remember when your parents told you to use the “magic word”? It was please, and when you said it, you received whatever it was you were asking for.

When Jesus says we should ask God for things using his name, is he saying that in Jesus’ name are “magic words” that will get us whatever we want? Not at all. Adding “in Jesus’ name” is not a special formula that adds effectiveness to our prayers. In fact, none of the prayers recorded in the Bible have “in Jesus’ name” at the end of them. So why do we say it?

Coming in the name of someone means that person has given you the right to come on his or her authority, not your own. So praying in Jesus’ name means praying with the authority of Jesus, on the basis of having Jesus as your mediator or go-between. The name of Jesus represents all that he is — his entire character. So praying in Jesus’ name also means your request is consistent with his character. This means we would never ask for something that doesn’t fit with who Jesus is and what he taught.

Prayer is a real conversation with someone who knows us better than we know ourselves. It never depends on using certain formulas or required words. It’s a matter of our relationship to the one who makes it possible to come directly into God’s presence through prayer: Jesus.