I have gotten in the habit of ending all my praying with the phrase ‘In Jesus name we pray’. It’s almost as if this phrase is a magical formula that guarantees our praying will be effective. This is a habit I picked up early in my Christian walk from others who prayed that same way. Occasionally one of them would remind people that this is all based on a scripture.
John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
John 16:23-24
23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
The problem with that is that it just doesn’t automatically work every time. Unless there is an anointing on it, there is no truth in it. Why? Simple logic. The anointing indicates the presence or inspiration of the Spirit of God who is also the Spirit of Truth, and of Grace. No anointing means no Spirit and therefore no truth.
Now we are not talking about praying the name of Jesus or using the name ‘Jesus’ in prayer. That is very powerful regardless. But there is a difference between using Jesus name in prayer and praying in the name of Jesus. And the promises Jesus gives in John 15 and 16 mentioned above have to do with praying in Jesus name.
What does it mean to Pray in Jesus’ Name?
In biblical language, your name is not just a word that you are called by. It indicates your nature, character and authority. So to Pray in Jesus’ Name means you must pray in his nature, character and authority, simple as that.
Character
We are called to be conformed to the image of Jesus, that would mean showing forth the character of Jesus..
Romans 8:29-30
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
That image we are to be conformed to is the Jesus who learned perfect obedience by the things he suffered.
Hebrews 5:8-9
8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
Nature
We are also to be ‘partakers of the Divine nature.’
2 Peter 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
Authority
With these two in place, we are then to be able to speak God’s word with the authority of Jesus. And we know there is no limit to the authority of Jesus.
Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
This is what he is promising in John 15 and 16 quoted above. It’s not just a simple formula to get prayers answered.
So how does the fulfillment of this promise come about?
When God gives you a new name, it means he is changing your nature, character and authority. In Genesis, for example, he did it for Jacob who became Israel.
Genesis 32:28 And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.
A New Name
Here are a couple passages where God speaks of giving a new name.
Isaiah 62:2 And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name.
Revelation 2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
Revelation 3:12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
Isaiah 62 has an end time context and of course, the book of Revelation has an end time context. So first we see that this is something to happen in the end times. Next, notice that the verses from Revelation tell us that the new name is given to ‘him that overcometh’. God’s not looking for survivors; he’s looking for overcomers. The overcomers are those who get the new name, which means a new nature, a new character and new authority.
Revelation 2:26-27
26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.
Revelation 12:5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.
This is the same group of overcomers we see in Revelation 14. They are with the Lamb [Jesus] and they have his father’s name [nature, character and authority] written in their foreheads.
Revelation 14:1-5
1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.
2 And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:
3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.
4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.
5 And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.
These are also said to be not defiled, virgins, i.e. pure; having no guile; without fault before God and to follow the lamb wherever he goes. These are the ones that will pray, according to the Name of Jesus. And their prayers will be answered by the father.
In Luke 24, the bible speaks of Jesus commissioning his disciples to go and preach. Note verse 45 which speaks of understanding the scriptures. This is a prophetic picture of the overcomers in the end times who receive the Revelation of Jesus Christ, that they might understand the scriptures and preach in his name.
Luke 24:45-47
45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,
46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.