Daily Devotional for Wednesday April 6, 2016

Why Pray in Jesus Name?

(John 16:23,24, John 14:13,14)

***DAILY PERSONAL PRAYER FOR YOU: Dear Lord, thank you for your love and protection. As I go through the day, please continue to watch over and protect me from the evil and harm that is in this world. I look to you for my strength, for guidance, and for protection! In the name of Jesus...AMEN!

"In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, 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. " John 16:23,24

"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 14:13,14

Why pray in Jesus name? Praying in the name of Jesus has been horribly misunderstood by Believers and non-Believers alike. Today, I want to help clear up what praying in the name of Jesus is and is not because it has become a hot issue at high school sporting events, graduations ceremonies, and in local, state, and federal government settings. The reason is simple. Those who want to eliminate God from the public square feel that by praying in the name of Jesus, is tantamount to an endorsement of the Christian faith!

Just as confused are many Christians who use the anchor verses today from the Gospel of John as some sort of magic formula or "magic prayer" to get what they want. They have turned praying in the name of Jesus into some sort of "abracadabra" word a magician might use to see their prayers answered.

READ CAREFULLY SEVERAL TIMES!!! We pray in the name of Jesus because our Lord told us to. We pray in the name of Jesus out of respect for Jesus. We pray in the name of Jesus to show Him the honor He deserves. We pray in the name of Jesus as an act of dependence upon the Lord. We pray in the name of Jesus because in John 15:5 Jesus says, "apart from me you can do nothing."

THAT IS WHY WE PRAY IN THE NAME OF JESUS!!!

No true follower of Jesus Christ should ever pray unless it is in the name of Jesus for the reasons I just outlined!!!

THERE IS NEVER AN EXCUSE NOT TO PRAY IN THE NAME OF JESUS!!!

I love you and care about you so much. Today, I want to encourage all Christians to ALWAYS pray in the name of Jesus. I submit to you that even though God knows your heart, your prayer is not complete unless it is in the name of Jesus. IF FOR NO OTHER REASON IT IS BECAUSE JESUS IS THE ONE YOU ARE BRINGING YOUR PETITIONS TO! Again, it is a simple act of honor to pray in the name of Jesus, and it is an act of dependence that Jesus is our only hope!

Don't ever let the world intimidate you into not praying in the name of Jesus. Regardless the setting, regardless the circumstances, there is NEVER A REASON not to pray in the name of Jesus! In what other name would we pray??? I pray today that the Lord quickens this word to your heart.

"In the name that is above all names, in the name that one day every knee will bow and every tongue confess Lord, in the only name by which men are saved, in the name of the Savior of the world, JESUS CHRIST....AMEN!!!"

In His love and service,

Your friend and brother in Christ,

Bill Keller