In Jesus' Name

12“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. 13Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14If you ask me^e anything in my name, I will do it. (John 14:12 – 14)

Jesus said these words following the last supper as part of His conversation with the disciples.  He was reassuring them that even though He would be gone, they would be able to continue His work, as His representatives, and do even greater miracles than He had performed so that God would be glorified.

The disciples were extremely worried about His leaving and they really didn’t understand what was going to happen.

Jesus was calming their fears and letting them know that whatever they did as representatives of Him, (in His name), His power would be behind it. They would have, in His name, great power to continue His work.

Today the phrase ‘in Jesus name’ has lost its meaning. It is used at the end of every prayer, no matter what the prayer is about. Perhaps we have never understood what Jesus truly meant when He told His disciples that whatever they asked in His name, that He would do. It is something we should give serious thought to and remember that He was speaking to the disciples at a crucial junction of His ministry.

Christ here assures them that they should be clothed with powers sufficient to bear them out. As Christ has all power, they, in his name, should have great power, both in heaven and in earth. I. Great power on earth (v. 12): He that believeth on me (as I know you do), the works that I do shall he do also. Though he should depart, the work should not cease, nor fall to the ground, but should be carried on as vigorously and successfully as ever; and it is still in the doing. Matthew Henry Commentary

Ending every prayer with the phrase “in Jesus name” seems to have become some sort of magic saying that will make our prayers come true. Do we really think about what we are saying?

Jesus was very clear to His disciples that when they were out doing His work and performing the miracles that He performed, as long as they were doing the works as His representatives, in His name, He would accomplish it so that the Father would be glorified in the Son.

When we pray for help going to sleep at night or a better job, these are not the works that Christ was speaking about though I’m sure asking ‘in Jesus name’ will not hurt the cause. However, any time we say or do anything in someone else's name, we are doing what they would do if they were there instead of us. Asking for something is the same. 

When we pray for healing or salvation, we are doing the work of the Lord and He will be glorified. We need the power of the name of Jesus to accomplish these works. We are asking for the same things He would ask for if He were here. 

You did not choose Me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that will remain--so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you. (John 15:16)

It is reasonable to believe that Christ’s words to His disciples are also meant for us, and the reasoning behind His words also remains the same. We must be doing the works that Christ would do if He were here and we must do them as His representatives because He is not physically on earth.

When we are bearing fruit for the Father, we are doing so as representatives of Jesus Christ, His Son. We are not doing good works for our own glory or to gain salvation through them. We have been appointed, just like the disciples, to go out into the world and preach the Good News just as Jesus did. We do these things in His name.

In that day you will no longer ask Me anything. Truly, truly, I tell you, whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you. (John 16:23)

Jesus provides for us His power and His wisdom to do the works that He is no longer here to do. But our prayers do not always need to and should not end with ‘in Jesus name’ without any consideration or serious thought. Those words need to have meaning.

Only those prayers, that are truly for the glory of God through His Son’s death and resurrection, and that are not for our wants or for selfish gain, should be prayed in the name of Jesus. Prayers of praise and adoration, prayers of minor consequence for ourselves, or prayers to open and close meetings need not have that phrase before the Amen (so be it).

We know that God gives grace for our human frailties and probably does not mind if ‘in the name of Jesus’ is used constantly. But our prayers are communication with God and they are important. The name of Jesus is so powerful that we ought to give it some thought and not just rattle it off at the end of every prayer.

Prayer: Father in heaven, thank you for loving us even when we fail to really understand your great power. Give us wisdom when praying to ask only for those things that are in your will. Help us do the works that you did and even greater works as your representatives. Open our minds to greater understanding of your word. And we do ask for these graces in the name of your son Jesus Christ. Amen