Jesus said that if we ask anything in His name it will be done. I believe the key is 'in His name'..what does that really mean? Is the name of Jesus some magic incantation that we can use to ensure our prayers are answered? God forbid that we should think so. To ask in His name has a much fuller meaning to it.

Over the last two weeks this very issue of praying 'in His name' has come up, and someone questioned me on it. What does it mean to you? Personally, I do not believe that the name of Jesus is to be used as a religious chant in our prayers. Also, the mere letters and name J-E-S-U-S will just be another name, if used merely as a formula (while Christ Himself is not being rooted within us) [See the 7 sons of Sceva - Acts 19:13-15] Speaking the name of Jesus, without Him actually dwelling in you, and being in oneness with the Lord Himself...will do absolutely nothing, and you are lucky if you don't get hurt in the process.

To ask in His name has indeed a much fuller meaning to it. To me, 'in His name' means what Christ is referring to in Jn 17:21,23 - "That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me...I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me." To be or pray 'in His name' implies a "oneness" with Him.

For those of you who are married, will see the meaning of this perhaps a little easier. Paul speaks of this "oneness" in another place 2.Cor 11:2 - "For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ." And again in other verses it speaks much of the collective Bride of Christ (church), but as individuals we also are bride to Christ.

When you got married, you took on the NAME of your husband...therefore we also, when we are "married" to Christ, we take on HIS name ('in His name'). The older generation used to do things a certain way, the wife would for instance sign papers as "Mrs. George Hudson" (or for those of you who have the lovely devotional by "Mrs. Charles E. Cowman") - we see that these women "operated" in the name of their husbands. And with matters pertaining to Christ it is no different, we do things 'in His name', because we are "married" or "espoused" (to be married) to Christ. To pray 'in His name' has nothing to do with outward ritual or how we end our prayers, but I believe that being 'in His name' means being in the right relationship with Jesus.

I think that when we are not completely in tune with God, very much like bratty little kids, we tend to fall into the "demanding" mode (perhaps at the slightest trace of rebellion or doubt). On the other hand, when we are in a right relationship with the Lord (and I often look at the blueprints in Songs of Solomon)...when things are really in tune, and our hearts are in perfect love with Jesus, there is no need for us to demand anything...for the Lord (the Lover of our Souls) wants to give us our hearts desires, He wants to please the one He loves...My Beloved is mine, and I am His.

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: Ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full." John 16:23,24

30 May 1997