Praying In Jesus Name John 16:23 And in that day [after His resurrection] you will ask Me nothing [about the meaning of His death & resurrection]. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. 2 Is God more likely to answer prayer if more people ask? Does God Decide On Majority Vote? If 1000 people ask, does that work better than one or two? On the other hand, if 1000 people pray, are the odds greater that one of them will pray the prayer of faith and get the answer? It only takes 2 or 3. 3 What Does It Mean To Pray In Jesus Name? Prayer that is just an expression of sympathy is not prayer in Jesus name. Prayer in Jesus name looks for a definite answer of yes or no. When an ambassador goes to another country in the name of his king, it means he represents that king and is under his authority. He speaks only what his king authorizes. That is praying in Jesus name. Is it possible say, In Jesus name without it really being in His name? Is it possible to pray in Jesus name without even using those words? Does it not mean, praying for God s will and for God s glory? A selfish prayer that repeats the words, In Jesus name is not really praying in His name? James 4:3 says, You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. 4 Just saying the words, In Jesus name is Not A Magic Formula 1
The pagans believe there are magic words like abracadabra. Some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits. But the demon possessed man said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you? He then beat them up and ran them off half naked. There is no magic in the words, but there is power in the wisdom of words and in the word of our testimony as a public declaration. Even if we re only preaching to the choir the words are in the air and have an impact on the prince of the power of the air. That s why they insist that we have no right to say those things in public. (Notice how I tie witnessing to prayer. They work in tandem.) 5 Does Prayer Really Change Things? God never changes, but prayer can change God s mind. Moses prayed for the people when God was ready to destroy them. God answered and forgave them. Jesus said, Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, Be removed and be cast into the sea, and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. (Mark 11:22) Jesus said this while standing on the Mt. of Olives. The mountain they could all see facing them in opposition to God s kingdom was the Temple Mount. Even though it s removal was promised by Jesus and the prophets, we still need to preach and pray the prayer of faith to make it happen. That prayer was answered when Jerusalem was figuratively cast into a sea of Gentile nations. God predestines the means (prayer and preaching) just as much as He predestines the end result. He predestines it to be done by the means. The other means He used was the Roman army. 2
James 5:15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 6 What Is The Prayer Of Faith? Is it the prayer of faith to name what ever you want and claim it by saying, I m believing God for a Cadilac? You have no right to believe a thing unless God reveals that He wants you to have that thing. To arbitrarily Name and Claim It is somewhat like magic or like a machine where all you do is push the button by saying the right words or conjuring up faith. There is a difference between presumption and faith. Presumption is sin. Before we can believe God for something, the Holy Spirit must tell your spirit God s will in the matter. 7 How Should We Pray? We should pray like Jesus taught us and pray what He prayed. John 17:1 glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you 8 For God s Elect John 17:9 I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. 9 That God Will Keep Them In The World John 17:15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. 10 For Future Believers John 17:20-21 I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word 11 For Laborers In The Harvest 3
Luke 10:2 Then He said to them, pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. 12 For God s Will On Earth Mat 6:10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. 13 For Daily Needs Mat 6:11 Give us this day our daily bread. 14 For Mercy Mat 6:12 And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. 15 For Grace To Overcome Mat 6:13 And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. 16 For The Holy Spirit Luke 11:9 So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. Luke 11:13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him! 17 For Wisdom James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. 18 For The Nations 4
Psalm 2:8 Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession. Paul said we are to pray for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way (1 Timothy 2:2). Does that mean we pray for God to bless evil men? Psalm 82 answers that. Arise, O God, judge the earth; for you shall inherit all the nations! (Psalm 82:8) 19 God Sometimes Says, No. Paul prayed three times for God to remove his thorn in the flesh and God said, My grace is sufficient for you. (2Cor 12:9). Jesus also prayed three times for the cup of God s wrath to be removed. But redemption was not possible without His blood. 20 How Are We To Pray? 1Cor 14:15 I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding. Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings that cannot be uttered. 21 How Are We To Pray? Pray With Hope For The Future The long-term Puritan Hope motivated evangelism, holiness, and cultural transformation. The Church prayed 4,000 years for the appearance of the Messiah. There may be some prayers you may not see answered in your life time, but they will be answered. Stephen s prayer was answered in Saul when Stephen was dead So the 5
prayers that Paul encouraged for kings and rulers took about 260 years before the persecution stopped in Constantine s time. There are bottles of tears a-filling to be poured out for the destruction of God s enemies. To pray in Jesus name is to forget about your self and concentrate on His cause. To pray in Jesus name is to seek first the kingdom of God, the rule of God in the earth. To pray in Jesus name is to side with God against your self. 22 Let This Be Our Constant Hope And Prayer Yes, all kings shall fall down before Him; All nations shall serve Him (Psalm 72:11) Let God Arise And His Enemies Be Scattered 6
The Message Pastor Ron Smith Praying in Jesus Name John 16:23 And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.
Does God Decide on Majority Vote? John 12:38 their cry came up to God because of the bondage (Exodus 2:23).
What Does It Mean to Pray in Jesus Name? To pray in Jesus name is to ask only what God authorizes.
Not a Magic Formula Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?
Does Prayer Really Change Things? Jerusalem was figuratively cast into a sea of Gentile nations.
What Is the Prayer of Faith? The difference between presumption and faith.
How Should We Pray? John 17:1 Glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you
For God s Elect John 17:9 I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given me.
That God Will Keep Them in the World John 17:15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.
For Future Believers John 17:20-21 I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word
For Laborers in the Harvest Luke 10:2 Then He said to them, pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.
For God s Will on Earth Matthew 6:10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.
For Daily Needs Matthew 6:11 Give us this day our daily bread.
For Mercy Matthew 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
For Grace to Overcome Matthew 6:13 And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
For the Holy Spirit Luke 11:13 how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!
For Wisdom James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God.
For the Nations Psalm 2:8 Ask of Me, and I will give You the nations
When God Says, No. My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).
How Are We to Pray? Romans 8:26 The Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Pray with Hope for the Future 263 years before they were answered in Constantine s time.
Let This Be Our Constant Hope and Prayer Yes, all kings shall fall down before Him; all nations shall serve Him (Psalm 72:11).
The Message Pastor Ron Smith Praying in Jesus Name John 16:23 And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.