PRAYING IN JESUS’ NAME
By Harold E. Burchett

A key phrase that opens to us the heart of the New Testament is: “In Christ” or “In Him.” Related to this is our present subject, “Praying in Jesus’ Name.” Grasp that truth and you can approach the God of the universe with a confidence befitting to his own child.

A personal experience, back in WW ii, opened my eyes as to what this means. I stood there in a very busy Jewelry store in my home town hoping for attention from the owner himself. My request was a very special one—dear to me and a challenge for such a busy place.

“Be sure and tell him that you are my son”—my father had instructed, “or he might not take on your project.” (I was a sailor on a very short leave, and I held in my hand a unique replica of the destroyer I had just left in the Pacific.) So much I wanted to have this pin made into a tie clasp that I could wear after my discharge!

“You are Mr. Burchett’s sailor son?” the proprietor asked with warm enthusiasm. “I’ll see what I can do: Come right back this afternoon!” And back I came! After another warm greeting, he held up the finished product. My precious pin mounted between gold chains attaching to a tie clasp. “Wow! Now what will that cost?” I gasped. “Oh,” he said, “there is no charge; you see, your Father is my friend!”

Then and there I learned what it means to approach a benefactor in the name of another. That is what Jesus tells us to do—going in his name to the Father who loves him so:

I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever
you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked
for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive,
and your joy will be complete. –John 16:23-24

When we take time to align ourselves in this manner with the Father in heaven, in the name of his only beloved Son, God bind himself to hear us. This arrangement shakes us free from our tendency to make selfish, sinful requests. We ask what is pleasing and in alignment with our Savior’s mind. Lining up our hearts with his becomes a key issue in making intercessions with traction and power.

This requires study and practice. As John 15:7 instructs us: Position yourself in the Savior, using his Word, and you will be on your way to new power in prayer.

If you remain in me and my words remain in you,
Ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.