The Right Order In Prayer Monday, March 19th

Pastor Chris

And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, whatever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you (John 16:23).

Jesus’ teaching on prayer in our opening scripture emphasizes a new order in prayer. First, the Master refers to a new day-the day of salvation-where you’ll pray directly to the Father in His Name; standing in His stead. This was before his death, burial and resurrection. Thus, the salvation which could only be effective after His resurrection had not been consummated. So when He said, ‘’…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’’ He was talking about the day of the Church; after His resurrection.

In spite of this, many still ignorantly petition Jesus when they pray. When you listen to the content of their prayer, you’ll hear ‘’Lord Jesus, I ask that you grant such-and-such in the Name of Jesus.’’ According to the teaching of Jesus, it’s wrong to pray that way. For example, the ambassador of a country doesn’t function in that office in his home country. His job is to operate on behalf of his government of his country in the place of assignment-in another country.

In the same way, it will be wrong to pray to Jesus in His Name. You stand in His stead, with the power of attorney to use His Name and make a demand of the Father. So you don’t pray to Him or through Him but in His Name. That’s why he said ‘’Go in my Name!’’ You might say, ‘’But I prayed to Jesus and got results’!’ Well, that’s because you’re a baby in the things of God; after a while, God expects you to mature. In Acts 17:30, the Bible tells us: ‘’And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent.’’ When you pray in the Name of Jesus, you stand in His place and become His voice; it’s as though Jesus himself were asking. Thus whatever demands you make of the Father will be granted you.

If you have a request to make of the Father and you want the request granted, do it in the Name of Jesus. That’s the new and right order in prayer for the new creation.

Prayer

Dear Father, thank you for granting me direct access into your presence to ask and receive from you, so that my joy may be full. I’m grateful for your immeasurable love and kindness to us in Christ Jesus, and to know I can always receive answers, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Further study

Philippians 2:9; John 14:13-14

1 Year Bible Reading Plan:

Luke 2:21-52

Deuteronomy 13-15

2 Year Bible Reading Plan:

Acts 24:12-27

Psalm 37-38