You Have an Advocate With the Father

"Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it."

What does it mean to pray in the name of Jesus? This is one of the most misunderstood phrases in the Christian life.

Scripture Focus: John 14:13-14; Hebrews 7:25; Hebrews 4:16; Romans 8:26

"Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son."

"Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them."

"Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

To pray in the name of Jesus means several things.

First, it means to pray in a way that is consistent with the character and nature of God. To say "I have faith in the name of Jesus" is to say I believe in who He says He is. This is why Jesus teaches us to pray, "Hallowed be Your name"—to lift up and acknowledge everything He is.

Second, it means you understand you have no merit to approach God other than through His Son. When you approach God in prayer, you understand God owes you no favors.

Third, it means approaching God with the desire to glorify Him. Many people go to God and pray that God would align His will with theirs. My kingdom come. My will be done. Get on it, God. But the goal of prayer is not a grocery list of gifts—it's that God's name would be glorified.

Fourth—and this is worth sitting with— to pray in the name of Jesus means that Jesus Himself invites you to come directly to Him.

Hebrews 7:25 says He ever lives to make intercession for you. That means He loves to intercede for you. Romans 8 says the Holy Spirit intercedes for you with groanings too deep for words. Hebrews 4 says you can boldly approach the throne of grace to find mercy and help in time of need. Isaiah 65:24 says while you are still praying, He will answer.

I remember being a teenager—my brother and I got thrown against a cop car by an officer who didn't know us. We called my dad. He called someone he knew on the force. Within ten minutes, we were released. My dad said, "Lesson learned. It's nice to know someone."

Listen—you have an advocate in the throne room of heaven. And it's not a local cop. It's the King. And the King says, "You come straight to Me. You've been granted access to the throne room. Come with boldness."

That's the privilege of prayer.

Stay dialed in