If I were to ask you, what is the most important part of a prayer, what would you say? Is it the proper introduction? Afterall, if we truly believe we are entering into the presence of God, surely we need just the right combination of “Heavenly Father we beseech thee” in today’s English to be properly reverent right?
Maybe the most important thing is not get the parts of a prayer out of order. We shouldn’t rush into our list of requests before adequately addressing our sin before God. Maybe it is hard to pick just one part because, if we are honest, prayer has become more of a rote recitation than a true expression of our hearts.
In John chapter 14, I want to highlight verses 12 through 14 and how meaningful it is that we get to conclude our prayers in the most incredible way—in Jesus’ own name.
How many times have we rushed the ending of our prayer in order to grab that first breadstick? As a child, that small phrase indicated to me that big church was almost over so it was time to wake up and pay attention!
Don’t miss this though: when we conclude prayer (the most unbelievable act of entering into the presence of God!) we do so not out of our own might or prestige, but relying on nothing less than then character and work of Christ Himself.
The conclusion of our prayer is the profound hope that Christ is our advocate, God is our Strength, and we can be about the task set before us because we have been promised that the Father will be glorified in the Son.
“God, I pray that as we go about our lives and the task before us, we would never forget that we do so with the promise of Your own strength. Christ Himself promised that we might share in the profound privilege of bringing You glory. May we never lose sight of the significance that we may end each prayer in Jesus’ own name.”
Reflection Questions:
When we think of prayer, what images come to mind?
Jesus said we will do even greater works than these. What work do you think Jesus was talking about? What would it look like for us to do that?
Why is it such a big deal that we get to pray in Jesus’ name?
Is it sometimes hard to believe that if we ask anything if Jesus’ name, He will do it?
What does it mean to ask for something in Jesus’ name?