Praying in the Name of Jesus

PRAYING IN THE NAME OF JESUS

A grandfather of a child who drowned said he prayed with John 14:14 ( If you ask anything in my name, I will do it.) as the basis of his prayer all the way to the hospital. He asked God "in Jesus name" to spare his grandchild. She did not survive. Now he is asking, "Why not?" He is the friend of a couple who are dear friends of mine. He has asked for their help. He doesn't understand why God didn't grant his petition. They in turned shared this with me and asked if Bill or I had any insights into the meaning of this verse that they could share with their friend.

I've been doing some thinking and meditating and praying and would like to share some insights that may help someone who is also struggling with why their prayer was not answered.

First, if that verse means that we can ask God for anything and ask "in the name of Jesus", and receive what we ask for, that would be like God has given us a blank check signed by Jesus. All we have to do is fill in the amount. So let's say I want a million dollars. If I pray "in Jesus name" for the million dollars, does that verse say I'll receive what I asked for? I wonder what this world would be like if we could all do that kind of thing. I hope you all agree with me that can't be the meaning of that verse.

Second, let's look at another verse. I John 5:14-15 says, "If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us, and if we know that he hears us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him." Thus God's will plays a part in getting an answer to our petitions. So I have to be certain that my request is within God's will.

Third, James tells us in 4:3, "ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss (for the wrong reason), that ye may consume it upon your lusts (with the wrong motives)." We need to be sure why we are making the request.

Fourth, faith also plays a part in answers to our prayers. In Mark 11:24 Jesus said, "What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." Faith is not something I can produce. It is a gift from God and vital to answered prayer.

Remember, Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane prayed that if it was possible God would let the cup pass from Him, but then added, "Nevertheless not my will but thine be done." (Luke 22:42). So submission to God's will must be a part of my prayers.

I'm thinking also of what David did when his child died. He had prayed for God to spare the child. When he learned that God did not grant his request, he "arose from the earth....and came into the house of the Lord and worshipped." (II Samuel 12:20)

In Hebrews 4:14-16 we find these words, "Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession (LB 'let us never stop trusting him'). For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." So Jesus does understand what we are going through and we are promised that we will receive mercy and grace when we need it. We are to trust Him, especially in the difficult times.

Was there anything wrong with the grandfather wanting his grandchild to live? Of course not. Was there anything wrong with his praying to God that the child would survive? Of course not. These are proper responses. Maybe our wise and loving heavenly Father knew that the child would have been brain damaged if she had lived. So there is another step to take. "Father, I don't understand, but I am going to trust you. Help me to humbly bow before you and praise your name." Not an easy thing to do, but possible.