The Power in Jesus' Name

The Power in Jesus’ Name. John 16.17-24                                                      Click to read:  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2016.17-24&ver...

Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.  John 16.24

Hello, Patrick, Lynda, Afsana, Evey, Nike, Fabi, Ron, Amani, Kweku . . . 

What is in a name?  Identity and recognition, maybe symbolic meaning and heritage, right?  We close our prayers with "In Jesus' name, Amen."  Why? Why finish our prayers in such a fashion?  Let's take a look at what God's word says about his name . . . First, a few Old Testament references to the name of God:

Psalm 8.1 - How majestic is your name. . .

Psalm 68.4 - Sing praise to his name. . .  

Proverbs 18.10- I love this one: The name of the Lord is a strong tower. The righteous run to it, and they are safe.                                     

Exodus 20.7 Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain. Why? Because it is set apart--it is holy.

Then take a look at these New Testament references-

Matthew 1.21 - You are to give him the name Jesus . . .               

Matthew 18.20 Where two or three come together in my name, there I am in the midst of them                                                     

Acts 2.21 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. 

Acts 4.12 There is no other name under Heaven whereby men may be saved.                                                                    

Philippians 2.9-11 God . . . gave him the name that is above every other name. . . but now, consider with me John 16.23 and 24 - everything changed from here on out . . . Jesus said to his beloved disciples: my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. So, why do we say, 'in Jesus' name'? Because there is power in the name of Jesus--there is authority.

There have been times in my life, when I was not able to tell up from down; in these times, my most effective prayers consisted of one word . . . one powerful word – JESUS.  ‘See, there is nothing that concerns me, nothing that concerns you that doesn't concern him.  There is nothing that is not covered by the name of Jesus.  

Closing our prayers in his name is in small part like putting a postage stamp on a letter before placing it in the mail.  The name of Jesus is authority, and it is power as well.  So when you pray, close your prayer in confidence that it is truly in Jesus' name we pray, and in whom our prayers are answered.  Amen!

Christine

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