Asking in Jesus’ Name

“Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”  John 14:13

In the Gospel of John there are at least six promises that, if we pray in Jesus’ name, God in Christ will answer our prayer. The first is in our text, which promises that God the Father may be glorified in God the Son. Note also the equivalent promises in John 14:14; 15:16; 16:23-24, 26.
   
Such promises seem almost too comprehensive and unconditional to be understood literally. The key, however, is the significance of the phrase, “in My name.” This obviously means more than simply beginning or ending our prayer with this or some similar phrase.

In the first, place, we must recognize that it is only through Jesus Christ our mediator that we dare enter the presence of the omnipotent God at all. “...no one comes to the Father but through Me,” He said (John 14:6). That being true, it implies that our prayer must be in agreement with what Christ Himself would pray. No Christian should ask for something he knows to be against God’s will. “...if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us...we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him” (1 John 5:14-15).

When we come to the Father in Christ’s name, we are in a very real sense representing Him. Therefore, we must come with clean hands and motives worthy of the One in whose name we profess to come. Unconfessed, unrepented sin would surely misrepresent Him, and we could hardly speak in His name in such a case. Finally, acknowledging His power and promise, we must come believing, not doubting His word, if we come in His name.

Then, not only is the Father glorified, as our text says, but we shall rejoice. “...Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in My name, He will give it to you...ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full” (John 16:23-24).