Why Do Christians Pray “in Jesus’ Name”?

John tells us he wrote his Gospel and recorded the signs Jesus did, “so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:30-31). As we read through the Gospel of John, everything he wrote points to belief in Jesus so the believer will have life in His name. As an Apostle and one of Jesus’ first disciples, John regarded belief in the Lord Jesus Christ as necessary for salvation, and that is partly evidenced in his prolific use of the word believe, which he used about one hundred times in his Gospel.

John gave us many proofs Jesus is who He said He is — God. He tells us Jesus is the Way and the Life and the Truth and no one comes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6). Eternal life begins with repentance and faith in Jesus in this life here on earth, and continues through eternity. Christians have life in Him, through Him, and for Him.

Scholars indicate John’s Gospel includes three segments: Jesus’ ministry to the public (chapters 1-12), Jesus’ one-on-one ministry to His disciples (chapters 13-17), and Jesus’ public trials, crucifixion, death, and resurrection (chapters 18-21). It’s no surprise, therefore, John includes three passages which reveal Jesus’ directive to His disciples to pray in His name within the section detailing Jesus’ direct ministry to His disciples: John 14:13-14, John 15:16, and John 16:23-24.

Jesus’ imperatives to His disciples as He walked this earth are as essential for us now as they were then. Therefore, to surrender to and trust Him as Lord, and study His instructions to His disciples, helps us abide in Him (John 8:31) and walk by the Spirit in Christ (Galatians 5:16; Ephesians 2:10; Ephesians 5:8; Colossians 1:10; Colossians 2:6). Only when we abide in Him and walk by His Spirit will we truly understand what it means to pray in Jesus’ name.

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Before Christians end their prayers with Amen, most say, “In Jesus’ name I pray,” or something similar like, “For it’s in Your name I pray.” Most pray this without even thinking what it means, except we believe He hears our prayers, and praying in His name gives greater meaning to our prayer. Since Jesus taught us to pray (Matthew 6:5-15), and because He saved us by His atoning work on the cross (Hebrews 2:17; 1 John 2:2; 4:10), it naturally follows we are to pray in and for our Savior’s name.

But what exactly does that phrase mean? Pastor J. D. Greear explains, “When you say, ‘In Jesus’ name,’ you are saying, ‘I am asking for these things according to Jesus’ will, for his glory, and in his power.’” He goes on to tell us we should do everything in His name as an offering to Him, whether spoken or prayed in silence.

Pastor Michael Jakes expresses, “Without a doubt, prayer is our lifeline; it keeps us connected with the Lord.” Because we have life in His name, praying in His name is a natural progression as He sanctifies us (1 Corinthians 1:30) and as we abide in Him and in His teachings and commands (John 8:31; 4:13; 15:4).

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Mantle A. Nance shares, “To pray in Jesus’ name is to acknowledge that our access to God in prayer comes only through Jesus.” 1 Timothy 2:5 states Jesus is our Mediator, which gives us further impetus to pray in His name.

Look at the Disciples’ Prayer as recorded in Matthew 6:9-15 and Luke 11:2-4. One verse in the prayer says, “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” His will is what guides the outcome of our prayers.

As Christ followers, we submit and surrender all to Him. Paul tells us whatever we do is to be done for God’s glory in Jesus’ name (as we thank Him), and to work heartily for Him (1 Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 3:17, 23). At least one theological principle comes from these passages; do and pray for all things according to His will.

Yes, we ask the Lord for many, many things, and the list includes salvation for lost loved ones, health, security, unity within the church, provision for life, etc. When Christians pray according to Jesus’ will in His name, we trust our sovereign Lord to bring about something for our good (Romans 8:28) and more importantly, for His glory (Psalm 115). According to Dr. Richard L. Pratt, “… Psalm 115 reminds us that the highest motivation for petitioning God must always be a desire for His glory.”

Yet there are some who profess if they pray anything in Jesus’ name, it will come to pass. That belief is heretical, for it implies we can control God. Many false teachers and their adherents claim John 15:7 and John 15:16 as part of their proof God will give us our requests. At first glance, the passages may promise the Lord will indeed give us whatever we ask in His name. But the gist of the passages has to do with abiding in Christ, the One who chose us as His disciples. He alone is sovereign.

As Pastor Derek Thomas teaches, “To abide in Christ is to be immersed in Scripture: to read it, study it, ingest it.” Once we gain knowledge of God’s Word, we know absolutely everything is according to God’s will and not our own. Even our Lord Jesus Christ — when He agonized in the Garden of Gethsemane on the night of His betrayal — said, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not My will, but yours, be done” (Luke 22:42).

2 John 1:9 can be viewed as a rebuke to those who willingly claim Jesus will give them what they request. They are false teachers. “Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.” (Italics added).

How do we then know what God’s will is for us and our prayers? Writer Jason Soroski tells us, “…the good news is that we can know and live out God’s will as it is revealed to us in prayer and Scripture through the Holy Spirit.” Romans 12:2 assures us if we refuse to be conformed to this world and are transformed by our minds’ renewal, we will be able to test and discern the will of God — that which is good, acceptable, and perfect. By what means do we test and discern? Through our Helper, the Holy Spirit (John 14:26; 15:26) as He reveals God’s Word to us — for only God and His Word meet the criteria of goodness and perfection.

The success we enjoy when we pray in Jesus’ name is knowing He is changing us according to His will as He conforms us to His image (Romans 8:29). Praying in Jesus’ name is not a mystical promise; all we ask will be granted, for some yeses we desire would be harmful at best and fatal at worst. We must trust God’s perfect will as we pray. We must trust His perfect purposes for our lives and that He will see to it He gets the glory and His name will be manifested throughout the world (John 2:11; John 17:6; 2 Timothy 1:8-10; Titus 1:1-3).

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A short answer is Jesus is God is the Holy Spirit is Jesus.... Therefore, every time we pray in Jesus’ name, we are truly praying in the name of the entire Godhead (Trinity). The Bible tells us to pray in Jesus’ name, however, and we should be quick to follow the commandments of Scripture. We do though, pray in the Spirit (Ephesians 6:18: Jude 20). How can we not since we are indwelt by Him (John 14:17; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

From Genesis 1:1 through Revelation 22:21, the Bible is all about Jesus. As His followers (Mark 9:41; John 10:27), disciples (John 8:31), and ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20), it is in our best and most holy interest to abide in Him and share the Gospel through speaking and writing (1 Corinthians 9:16). The Bible tells us God has highly exalted Jesus and He has given Him the name that is above every name, “so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11). May we praise God in our every prayer and deed, all made in Jesus’ name.

Prayer

Lord God,

You have given us this incredible opportunity at any moment to come to you in prayer. We mere mortals who love the Lord Jesus can communicate to you through the fragrant vehicle of prayer. And You love us and hear us. I pray as we come before You, that we joyfully and reverently submit to Your will, knowing You will be glorified in all Your answers.

In Jesus’ matchless name I pray,

Amen.

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