4. It is to pray in communion with Christ
The words that follow the promises of John 14:13-14 describe those who are living in communion with Christ—He in them and they in Him. In the next chapter the need for living in communion with Christ is again underlined in connection with prayer:
“If you abide in Me … you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you” (John 15:7).
5. It is to pray as if Christ was doing the asking
“If my words abide in you, you will ask what you desire and it shall be done for you” (John 15:7).
What’s envisaged here is that Christ’s words have percolated so deeply into the soul that they become the believers words. The believer is so conditioned and controlled by Christ’s Word that he or she can hardly help but pray Christ’s words back to Him. Praying in Christ’s name is coming to Christ with Christ’s own desires.
6. It is to pray with confidence in Christ’s name
When we pray in Christ’s name, we are saying, “I have no confidence in my own name, my own character, my own merits.” We are saying, “We have complete confidence in Christ’s name to give us access and authority in prayer.”
“In Jesus’ name” is more than a full stop or a comma. It’s a phrase freighted with significance and power. Let’s use it more knowledgeably, reverently and confidently.
