Praying "In His Name"
What does that mean?
 Q. Why do we have to pray "In Jesus Name" at the end of every prayer?
It is interesting that it is only at the name of "Jesus" that unbelievers are offended. They are not offended when we say "Mohammad" or "Buddha." Why is that?
Answer:
Along with praying according to God's will, this is one of the most important components of prayer. Yet, we treat it like it's a formula or "magic" words. Let's look at it from another viewpoint.
Let's say you go to see a Grandma in your town on the behalf of her granddaughter who lives far away. You might say this to her: "I've come to see you on behalf of Marilyn your granddaughter."
Covenantal Authority
This is similar to what we mean when we pray to our Father in Jesus Name. We are not coming to our Holy God in our own name. We are coming through His Son, Jesus Christ. It is covenantal authority. Jesus is Lord over this new covenant. Philippians 2:10 says,
"At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth."
Mediator
Jesus' name is our legal authority to communicate with and do business with God. He is our "mediator." 1 Timothy 2:5-6 says,
"For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men - the testimony given in its proper time."
 God With Us
In the Bible we must remember that names are important. The name "Jesus" means "Savior." Jesus came to save us from our sins and to represent God to us.
Isaiah 7:14 says a "virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." Immanuel means "God with us." In return Jesus represents us to God.
The Power of Attorney
So in a legal sense all of this means that Jesus has "Power of Attorney." When Jesus was on earth He gave His disciples what they needed - food, money for taxes, healing for families and friends, a place to meet, and so on.
 God Works through Jesus
After Jesus left and returned to the Father, He gave instructions to them to ask the Father for what they needed in His Name. This is because God the Father works through Jesus Christ. Romans 8:34 tells us that Jesus is "at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us."
In other words, Jesus will see to it that what we ask is represented properly so that we will obtain an answer.
"I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it" (John 14:12-14).
Counselor, Teacher&Intercessor
Following John 14:14 Jesus told His disciples that after He left He would send them the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit would act as their Counselor, Teacher, and assist them in Prayer.
"We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will" (Romans 8:26-27).
 The Only Name on Planet Earth
Finally, Jesus did not tell us to pray in the name of Mohammad or Buddha or any other religious name - past, present, or future. Instead, we are told that "There is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:13).
The Only Name causing Revulsion
In fact, it is only at the name of "Jesus" that unbelievers act offended. They are not offended when we say Mohammad or Buddha. Instead, they respond with revulsion when they hear the name "Jesus." Isn't that interesting?
Saying "Lord, Lord" not Enough
Jesus warned,
"Many will say to me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you. Depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness'" (Matt. 7:22-23).
Praying in Jesus Name requires that we believe in the redemptive work and Lordship of Jesus Christ. It is not enough just to use His Name for "magic" or miracles.
The Most Powerful Name in the Universe
Jesus name is the most powerful in the universe. Whether unbelievers like it or not, every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord (Phil. 2:11).
So rejoice that you can call on Him to intercede before the Father on your behalf. Your prayer through His Name enables you to approach the God of the Universe.
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