YES, it is biblical pray to Jesus in the name of Jesus just as Paul did and Jesus again affirmed after His resurrection to His church in the last days. Here is the biblical proof:
In John 14:14, Jesus said “If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it”. There are a couple of truths to learn from this Scripture. First, Jesus did not say that whatever we ask or demand the devil to do in Jesus’ name, the devil will have to oblige. Rather, He said whatever His disciples asked Him (not the devil) in His name, He (not the devil) will do it. The word translated “ask” could also be translated “demand”. Even so, if we choose to replace “ask” with “demand” (although demand doesn’t necessarily fit the context), it is still clear that Jesus did not tell us to demand, speak to, or ask anything from the devil in the statement He made. It was all about Him: “Whatever we ask Jesus, in the name of Jesus, He will do it (see John 14:14). To ask from Jesus, who is also God, in His name is prayer.
Second, Jesus’ statement in John 14:14 was not a requirement under the Law or Old Testament. This was a privilege Jesus gave to His disciples, and by extension to all who were or would become His disciples. We cannot deny that Jesus, told His disciples to pray this way. Obviously, Jesus didn’t find the expression or prayer: “I ask or pray to you Jesus’, in your name” funny, childish, or unbiblical. Why should we if we indeed live by the Word?
Third, Jesus’s statement in John 14:14, was part of His Farewell Discourse; the message Jesus gave to His disciples the night before His crucifixion. That same night Jesus would be arrested. Therefore, if we assume that this privilege or promise Jesus gave them was to last until the day He rose from the dead, then it would have been so strange and very impractical for Jesus to give this privilege to His disciples only for about three days, when He knew His disciples will abandon Him ( John 16:32) and therefore would not pray to Him. And He will also be dead some hours after they abandon Him, and they could not pray to Him while He was dead (see 2 Cor 15:14, 17). Indeed, Jesus’ instruction to His disciple to pray to Him in His name would have been practically needless if it was only valid for for a period when they could practically make no use of it. But thankfully, the Bible dispels this erroneous notion.
After the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we find Paul, who had received His revelation about the Gospel, directly from Jesus Himself (Galatians 1:11-12 ), repeatedly praying to Jesus, asking Him to intervene on His behalf. Not only did Paul repeatedly pray to Jesus, but Jesus also answered Paul’s prayer, with an answer that has become Scripture for our learning. Paul wrote in 2 Cor 12.8-9 “Concerning this I implored the Lord (Greek word is “kyrios” and is also the title given to God, the Messiah – Jesus) three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me” (2 Cor 12:8-9). If it was wrong for Paul to pray to Jesus repeatedly, following Jesus’ own words (John 14:14), then it would also be wrong for Jesus to have answered Paul’s error, and given that to us as Scripture for our learning (2 Tim 3:16-17). Paul in praying to Jesus only imitated what Jesus asked His disciples to do. And we are also to imitate Paul and follow His example as long as He followed Christ (1 Cor 11:1).
To pray in the name of Jesus, is not to use that phrase (in Jesus’ name) as a magical addendum or preface to our prayers to get them answered. Rather, it is to pray in the authority that Jesus has. This does not come by merely adding “in Jesus name” in to our prayers. The sons of Sceva found that out the hard way (Acts 19:11-20). Rather, praying in the name of Jesus or authority of Jesus is made effectual by abiding in Christ (John 15:7). That is why we know Paul prayed in the name or authority of Jesus because He abode in Christ (e.g. Galatians 2:20).
Also in Revelation 3:18, Jesus Himself gave the following counsel to His church: “I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, white garments so that you may be clothed and your shameful nakedness not exposed, and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see” (Revelation 3:18). Here, Jesus Himself counseled His church to buy from Him, not the Father, what was spiritually of value. Even so, the currency to buy or receive from Jesus is not our legal tender or “miracle money” but faith, including asking in faith (Mark 11:24, James 4:2, Matthew 7:7). Thus in Revelation 3:18, we find Jesus also telling His church to ask or pray to Him in faith for what is spiritually valuable.
Since it is evidently clear in Scripture that praying to Jesus in the name of Jesus was instituted by Jesus Himself, while Paul followed that example in the New Testament in his prayer, and Jesus again counseled His church to do so in these last days, we have no biblical basis upon which to discredit such a practice.
To be continued…
Dr. K. Omari
June 1, 2024.
A Very Important Message
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:16). For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23). Therefore, If you do not know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, I invite you to put your faith in Him. Pray the prayer below to accept Jesus Christ as your Saviour: “I come to you God in Jesus’ name and surrender my life unto you. I repent of my sins and I ask You to forgive me all my sins. I confess with my mouth that Jesus is Lord, and I believe with my heart that God has raised Jesus from the dead. I thank you God for saving me, in Jesus name, Amen”. If you sincerely prayed this prayer, believe and be assured that you are saved, for the Bible says that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:13, Romans 10:9-10, Acts 16:31). Find a Bible believing church to attend so that you can be taught and trained to grow in the ways of God. You can also email me ([email protected]) and I will be happy to grow together with you in Christ. God bless you.
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