Prayer in Jesus’ name is taught in John 14:13-14, “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.”
Some mistakenly apply this verse by believing that saying “In Jesus’ name” at the end of a prayer results in God always granting what is asked for. This is essentially treating the words “in Jesus’ name” as a magic formula. This is not biblical!
Praying in Jesus’ name means:
1. Praying in Jesus’ name means praying through Jesus.
Our prayers are in the Spirit, through Jesus, to the Father. We are able to approach the Father by the atoning work of the Son on the cross and our faith in Him.
2. Praying in Jesus’ name means the same thing as praying according to the will of God.
“This is the confidence we have in Him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him” [1 John 5:14-15].
Our prayers “Whatsoever” and “Anything” [John 14:13-14], is controlled by all that scriptures teach on prayer, and “in His name.”
3. Praying in Jesus’ name is praying in His person and work, for things that will honor, please, and glorify Jesus.
