Praying to the Father in the Name of Jesus
When Jesus was on the earth he taught His disciples to pray. Then just before He went away he gave them further instructions about asking THE FATHER in his name what they desired.
With the help of the Holy Spirit within each believer we can go to the Word of God and find scriptures which promise us the desires of our heart. And we can pray according to Jesus direction for the New Testament church and expect results.
Notice in the gospel of John in verse 23-24
John 16:23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
John 16:24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
Hither to is not in the modern day English vernacular. The New Living translation makes it more clearer to understand.
John 16:23 At that time you won’t need to ask Me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and He will grant your request because you use My name.
John 16:24 You haven’t done this before. Ask, using My name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.
Our prayers are based on legal grounds and should be addressed to the Father in Jesus Name. We are not supposed to pray to Jesus. This was His instruction.
While Jesus was with His disciples on this earth they asked Him to teach us to Pray. He taught them to say, “Our Father….we refer to this prayer as the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) but it is not New Testament prayer, This prayer didn’t ask a thing in Jesus’ Name; His Name wasn’t even mentioned.
This prayer was under the Old Covenant. Under the New Covenant, which was sealed with the precious blood of Jesus, we are to pray to the Father in Jesus’ Name. The Old Covenant was fulfilled when Jesus hung on the cross and said “it is finished.” God then raised Him from the dead victorious over sin and death.
Notice He said “whatsoever” this answer is found in verse 24. “….that your joy may be full.”
When are prayers are scriptural and we pray in faith to the Father in Jesus’ Name, oh what joy we can have knowing he hears and answers our prayers.
Our Heavenly Father delights in us coming to Him with our requests. What joy we can have in thanking him for our answered prayers as we walk and talk with the creator of the universe in a close intimate personal relationship with God Himself.