We trust solely in the merits and authority of Christ. It also assumes that we are submitted to His will, coming with His words. We come as slaves, not masters, in prayer, seeking His will alone. This differs vastly from the recitation of a name in order to pull power out of a hat like some cosmic magic trick.

Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”

John 14:13

In Jesus’ name, PLAY!” This was what I heard as I sat in an auditorium waiting for the Pentecostal Explosion dance team to start their routine. I had been invited to this praise and worship event by a college friend. The dance team had walked on stage and was about to begin their routine when suddenly the CD player that had their dance track stopped working. They were working to get it fixed when the dance leader shouted out the command to the CD player. A few amens were heard, but after a painful minute and a half with no success, the dance team decided to do their routine without the music. At this point in my Christian walk, I knew the verse that said that if we asked in Jesus’ name, then Jesus says, “this I will do.” So what happened that night? Had Jesus lied? Never! A better explanation is that this woman had misunderstood what it meant to ask in Jesus’ name.

To be clear, I completely believe that whatever I ask in Jesus’ name, He will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son; but the name of Jesus is often invoked like a magic word at the end of our prayers. The way it is often used, we might as well finish our prayers with, “Abracadabra, amen;” I’ve said the customary phrase that ensures my prayers are heard. I even heard a song recently that said, “Just the mention of your name can raise the dead.” Really? The word “Jesus” is not an incantation that unlocks some secret magic. I don’t think this a faithful understanding of the text. So what does it mean to ask in Jesus name?

In His Name

First, we must understand what is meant by the name of Jesus.

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