The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in John 16:23b-24,
"Very truly I [Jesus] tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete."
Some people think Jesus was telling his disciples here that if they were to use the "right words", as in some kind of incantation, the prayers get answered. "In Jesus' name I pray" and that is the formula - this gets it answered to our satisfaction. I'm afraid this is just a misunderstanding of what Jesus was saying.
When Jesus said to ask in his name, that refers to praying in the context of his will and purposes (as the NIV Quest Bible puts it.) Who he is, what his plans and intentions are, his agenda. Praying in Jesus' name is an attitude and outlook, not a formula of words.
Formulas of words are for Hollywood movie scripts where we see someone open a book of spells, invoking the devil to do nefarious things. Jesus is a real person and I am sure he is more interested in us approaching him with that understanding, rather than if he were some kind of a mindless force that springs into action if we get the formula of words just right.
"Very truly I [Jesus] tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete."
Some people think Jesus was telling his disciples here that if they were to use the "right words", as in some kind of incantation, the prayers get answered. "In Jesus' name I pray" and that is the formula - this gets it answered to our satisfaction. I'm afraid this is just a misunderstanding of what Jesus was saying.
When Jesus said to ask in his name, that refers to praying in the context of his will and purposes (as the NIV Quest Bible puts it.) Who he is, what his plans and intentions are, his agenda. Praying in Jesus' name is an attitude and outlook, not a formula of words.
Formulas of words are for Hollywood movie scripts where we see someone open a book of spells, invoking the devil to do nefarious things. Jesus is a real person and I am sure he is more interested in us approaching him with that understanding, rather than if he were some kind of a mindless force that springs into action if we get the formula of words just right.
I'm sure this doesn't sit well with the "Name it and Claim it" crowd.
The NIV Quest Bible has a great point on John 15:7, where someone might ask whether we can ask for whatever we want, "No. It is impossible to pray correctly apart from knowing and believing Jesus' teachings. As long as we remain in him and his words remain in us, our desires will be consistent with his will. Praying in [Jesus'] name (v. 16) refers to requests in line with who Jesus is and what will advance his work. Such prayers reflect total dependence on him."
The NIV Quest Bible has a great point on John 15:7, where someone might ask whether we can ask for whatever we want, "No. It is impossible to pray correctly apart from knowing and believing Jesus' teachings. As long as we remain in him and his words remain in us, our desires will be consistent with his will. Praying in [Jesus'] name (v. 16) refers to requests in line with who Jesus is and what will advance his work. Such prayers reflect total dependence on him."
If we have been frustrated with the outcomes of our prayers, we just might want to revisit these thoughts.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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