The Three Key Words – Part 6

“Whatever you ask the Father in my name . . .” (John 16:23)

Today is the sixth and final installment in our series of articles on praying “in Jesus’ name.” We have been examining six reasons why praying in Jesus’ name is the key component in the prayers we pray. We saw that praying in Jesus’ name gives us access to God the Father and power in our prayers. We also saw that the invitation to pray in Jesus’ name is a clear indication of how deep our Father’s love is for us, we rejoiced in the assurance we have that praying in Jesus’ name brings glory to the Father, and we drew strength from the security that comes with praying in Jesus’ name. The final reason for praying in Jesus’ name is the joy we will experience.

Key #6 – Joy

To be sure, there are dozens more reasons for praying “in Jesus name” beyond what I have touched on in these articles, but today’s is one of the best.

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you . . . Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full” (John 16:23-24).

When was the last time you prayed in Jesus’ name and thought about your joy being full? Yet this is the promise we have from Jesus! True, lasting joy in this life is only found in Jesus.

Now, I am well aware that you and I go looking for joy in a great many things other than Jesus. We seek it in our jobs. We seek it in our relationships. We seek it in our finances. We seek it in our pleasures. We seek it in the next shiny object we buy. Yet our life experiences make it clear that genuine, enduring joy simply cannot be found in anything smaller than Jesus. Praying in Jesus’ name is a reminder of this full joy that has been promised to us by the One in whose name we pray.

One final thought: There was a time in my life and ministry when I would pray, and when I reached the end of the prayer, I would quickly say, “in Jesus’ name,” practically tacking on those words as an afterthought. I am a whole lot older and a little bit wiser today, and I know those three words are the most important part of my prayers. Instead of rushing through them, I relish the thought of the great honor and privilege I have been given to pray in Jesus’ name and the blessings multiplied I receive from having done so.

May this be the confession of your life as you pray in Jesus’ name; as you utter these three key words, slow down, soak them up, and savor them for the truth, power, love, assurance, security, and joy they bring into your life.

This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!