by Bill White | from “The Preceptor,” April, 1985
The world has lost the right of prayer,
and saints have failed to pray;
What loss sustained beyond repair!
how blind of heart are they!
The Father speaketh in His word,
He talks no other way!
And to converse with Him, our Lord,
we must take time to pray!
There is no trial, grief, or pain,
no moment of the day,
But that we may in Jesus’ name
incline our souls and pray!
These are the beautiful words of the song “Pray All the Time” by L.O. Sanderson. They should provoke us all to much thought about the blessed privilege and honor God has favored Christians with in prayer. It is perhaps one of the most neglected privileges of being a child of God. I believe the degree one recognizes the joy and benefit of prayer is directly proportionate to one’s closeness with God. We often look with scorn upon the denominational concept of “a personal relationship with God and Christ,” and yet I fear those in the Lord’s church do not pursue such a relationship as they should. Perhaps that is why prayer is no more important to some than it is. The opening line of the song “Pray All the Time” suggests the real issue. People outside of Christ do not have the avenue of prayer such as the child of God enjoys. It therefore behooves every Christian to learn what a loss they have suffered when prayer is not important, meaningful, and useful to them. It is because Christ paid the ransom price for men’s souls that the right of prayer and all its blessings are enjoyed. We should seek to learn more about the privilege of prayer and Jesus’ name as it relates to the Christian.
What does it mean to pray “in Jesus’ name”? In Colossians 3:17 we are told, “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” The phrase “in the name of” means “by the authority or power of.” An example of this concept would be an officer of the law in pursuit of a criminal shouting, “halt in the name of the law.” He is saying, “I order you to stop by the authority given me by the government.” When one prays “in the name of Christ,” he is exercising a right given him by God.
In John 1:12 we read, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.” The inspired writer is not saying here that all who profess faith in the name of Jesus automatically become children of God. He is saying that faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God is the motivating power that leads one to repent of his sins, confess his faith in Christ as God’s Son and be baptized unto the remission of sins. Perhaps this illustration will help clarify this point. My wife and I went to the county courthouse in Hankamer, Texas to apply for a marriage license. Upon receiving the marriage license, we then had the right to get married according to the laws of the State of Texas, but we were not yet married. Faith in the name of Christ gives one the right to become a child of God, but until all the requirements of becoming a child of God are met, one is not a Christian.
Concerning the right or privilege of prayer, when we pray “in Jesus’ name” we are confessing awareness that our right to approach God in prayer comes only through a proper relationship with Christ, accomplished by one’s obedience to God’s terms of pardon.
“I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me” (John 14:6). This verse reinforces the thought that only through one’s relationship with Christ as an obedient believer can one approach God either for salvation or in prayer.
Chapters 14, 15, and 16 of John repeatedly establish the fact that prayer to God is possible only through Jesus Christ. Christ once told His apostles:
And in that day you will ask Me no question. Truly, truly, I say to you, if you shall ask the Father for anything, He will give it to you in My name. Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full (John 16:23-24).
It may be that in verse 23 Jesus was telling His apostles that while He was here on earth they had demonstrated dullness of comprehension and had often asked Him questions because they did not understand His teachings, but when the Comforter was come He would teach the apostles all things (John 14:26). But I believe Christ was also teaching them that they shall not ask Him directly, as while He was on earth, but of the Father in His name. Prior to Jesus becoming the mediator of the new covenant (Hebrews 9:15) nothing was asked in His name. But now all things are to be done through Him (Colossians 3:17). Prayer “in Jesus’ name” simply means that because one is of Christ’s fold (John 10) he has the right and power to approach God in prayer. While one is not “in Christ” he is:
… separated from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were afar off have been brought near by the blood of Christ (Ephesians 2:12-13).
Since then we have a great high priest who is passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:14-16).
These three verses inform us of Christ’s mediatorial and intercessory activities as high priest in behalf of those who belong to Him. This passage provides one of the greatest thoughts of comfort found in all of God’s word: that Christ took a fleshly body, and dwelt among us. “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1 :14). While he was in the flesh He encountered the same infirmities and temptations that all humanity suffers. Because this is true, He is perfectly suited to “plead our case” before the Father. Since that is true we can boldly (with confidence), the Hebrew writer says, seek God’s mercy and help, not only when we have sinned, but anytime we need help to resist temptation or need comfort in time of distress.
I am reminded of an incident that took place when I was about nine years old. My brother had made a beautiful hand tooled and laced, leather notebook in his ninth grade shop class at school. On the front was a horsehead, and on the back was his full name. My mother was so very proud of the wonderful job he had done on it. It had taken him several weeks to complete the work. As time went by, the notebook was placed up in the attic for safe keeping but out of the way. It had remained there for a long time collecting dust. It just so happened that I was in need of a piece of leather for my toy gun and holster set. Using the logic of a nine year old, I determined there was no reason not to cut a piece of leather from the notebook; after all, it had not been used or even looked at for months. I took my brother’s leather cutting knife and carefully cut a piece the size I needed out of the back of the notebook. Just to be on the safe side I hid the notebook under some things. Well, just as God as declared “ … and be sure you sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23), the notebook was found. How I can remember my mother’s anger! I was immediately confronted with the evidence of guilt and sentenced to be whipped for my transgression. But not only do I remember my mother’s anger, I also remember her great sorrow, for indeed she was so proud of my brother’s accomplishment. Just about the time punishment was to be executed, my brother came in and learned of the proceedings. Even though he too was angered and hurt by what I had done, he spoke with mother and convinced her he could mend the notebook. He persuaded her that the damage would be hardly noticeable. You see my brother and I were very, very close. My brother knew I enjoyed playing cowboys and Indians about as much as anything. He could put himself in my shoes. On the other hand he knew how proud my mother was of the notebook and how hurt she was to see it ruined. Because of his special relationship to us both, he was able to mend the breech between mother and me. I was not whipped, and mother was satisfied that the notebook would be mended “good as new.” In a greater sense, that is what Christ does as our mediator and intercessor. Having experienced temptation Himself He perfectly knows what we must contend with on a daily basis. As deity He is aware of the need for perfect justice to be served and satisfied. Having paid the penalty price for sin, He can appease God the Father’s wrath concerning our sins and iniquities. Not only so, but though our sins bring God sorrow, through Christ’s death and our repentance that sorrow is changed into joy in heaven (Luke 15:8-10).
Jesus is our High Priest today. It was part of the high priest’s duty under the Law of Moses to be the mediator between God and His people Israel. It was the high priest and only the high priest who entered the Holy of Holies once each year to sprinkle blood upon the ark of the covenant in atonement for Israel’s sin. Jesus as our High Priest has entered into the true Holy of Holies (heaven) and presented His blood in the presence of God and has obtained eternal redemption for us.
But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered though the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation: and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled, sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant… (Hebrews 9:11-15).
When a child of God lifts up his prayers unto God, Christ confesses him before the Father and sues the Father for our petitions. Ephesians 4:32 seems to touch upon this principle: “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you.” Because Christ has shed His blood in obedience to God’s will and because the Christian has crucified himself with Christ (Galatians 2:20), God for Christ’s sake (so as not to make His death meaningless) hears our prayers and grants our petitions according to His infinite wisdom. You remember the illustration I gave concerning the notebook my brother made? My mother for my brother’s sake (since he is the one who had worked so long and hard to make the notebook) granted his request that I not be punished but allowed him to mend the damage done. This is the principle set forth in Ephesians 4:32.
Is it essential that we say the words “in Jesus’ name” or something equivalent to that when we pray either publically or privately? Has one sinned if he fails to say the words “in Jesus’ name” when he prays? Remember, “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to the Father (Colossians 3:17) . Remember also that “in Jesus’ name,” as it is found in Colossians 3:17 means, “by His authority and power.” Yet we do many things “in Jesus’ name” without vocalizing that phrase. “For where two or three have gathered together in my name (emphasis mine, bw) there I am in their midst” (Matthew 18:20). We assemble each Lord’s day to worship God “in Jesus’ name,” but no one necessarily announces such. For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in my name (emphasis mine, bw) because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward” (Mark 9:41). We do many benevolent deeds by authority of Christ (in His name), yet rarely if ever does one say those words as they render such benevolence. We must remember that prayer in Jesus’ name means that our prayers are offered as a right or privilege found as a child of God “in Christ.” Thus we must conclude that saying “in Jesus’ name” at the conclusion of a prayer is not some “magic formula” we must follow, and no sin is committed if the phrase is not uttered, so long as the individual is cognizant of Christ’s mediation.
However, it is usually expedient to use this phrase or something similar during public prayer. It is certainly not sinful to use the phrase and it will surely prevent a weaker brother’s conscience being offended. Paul discusses how Christian liberties are not to become stumbling blocks to those who are weak or new in the faith. We are to be mindful of one another. “For not one of us lives unto himself…” (Romans 14:7).
I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died (Romans 14:14-15).
These few verses establish the principle we wish to consider. Although Paul writes of the eating of meats, the principle can easily be applied to public prayer. Those who have matured in the faith know that the phrase “in Jesus’ name” is not a formula to be followed, but they recognize that only in Christ do we have the right of prayer. However, babes in Christ who have not yet learned this could easily be offended if the phrase is not uttered during public prayer. I can recall one occasion when I was assisting in the passing of the communion emblems. The brother who was called upon to offer thanks for the unleavened bread did not say the words “in Jesus’ name” as he prayed. As I took the plate containing the bread to the first row of pews, I had to wait as the sister to whom I was giving the bread offered her own prayer. Though she did not tell me, later she felt compelled to do so, thinking the prayer offered was unscriptural. I am confident this was the case. I believe it is preferable that the phrase “in Jesus’ name” be uttered by those called upon to lead public prayer. It also serves as a reminder to all, including the one leading in prayer, that only “in Christ” is this privilege ours.
There is a great need for all who seek God’s blessings in prayer to diligently study this subject. I commend this topic to my brothers in Christ who proclaim the gospel. There is much teaching that needs to be done. I do not believe we spend enough time “”preaching Jesus.” Too many do not understand about Christ as our High Priest. Prayer is not valuable and cherished by far too many because Christ is not truly real to them. Indeed the words of L.O. Sanderson’s song hit home:
The world has lost the right of prayer,
and saints have failed to pray;
What loss sustained beyond repair!
how blind of heart are they!
There is no trial, grief, or pain,
no moment of the day,
But that we may in Jesus’ name
incline our souls and pray!
