Prayer Power

Learning To Pray “In Jesus’ Name”?

By Petey Prater

Prayer is life’s greatest adventure. What could be more exciting than talking to the Lord? There are lots of ways to pray and many different kinds of prayer.

The more we know who Jesus is the more we want to talk with Him. Jesus’ names tell us who He is. His names reveal His character, fame and reputation as God. Jesus wants us to learn to trust His name so we will share our joys and heartaches with Him every day.

Webster’s dictionary defines name as “The title by which any person or thing is known.” Webster says a name tells of a person’s “character, fame, and reputation.”

Praying In Jesus Name

Here is one way to pray using one of Jesus’ names. He is called Faithful. Let’s learn to count on His faithfulness to us.

1. Study and think about what the word faithful means.

2. Remember the times when you desperately prayed for help and Jesus faithfully met your need.

3. Make a list of those times and thank Jesus for His faithfulness to you.

4. Now pray boldly, telling Jesus your need and thanking Him that because He is Faithful you know He will answer in the best way for you.

That is how we pray in Jesus’ faithful name. It is counting on His faithfulness to help answer our prayer.

Christians must count on Jesus to be Who His name says He is. If we know Jesus’ character and trust His Word our faith in Him will grow. Then, believing, we pray in His name and receive answers. And our faith grows even more.

But remember, simply knowing the “label” of Jesus’ name is not enough, He wants us to know Him. We come to know Him when

• we talk and listen to Him,
• we receive Him into our lives,
• we love Him and
• obey Him.

Results of Praying In Jesus’ Name

Trust “Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you” (Psalm 9:10).

Answered Prayer “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father” (John 14:13).

Joy “…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”(John 16:23,24).

Our Prayer

Lord Jesus, Help us study Your Word carefully and learn Your names. Help us understand Who You are and that You want to know us and answer our prayers. Teach us to pray in Your name, believing Your name will meet our needs. For You are Who You say You are and You will do what You say You will do. Amen

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Petey Prater is a Beaverton, OR writer and speaker and can be reached at peteyprater@yahoo.com She writes devotionals and poetry, and has contributed to 2 books:

101 Stories of Answered Prayer, by Jeannie St John Taylor and Petey Prater, AMG Publishers and Prayers for Troubled Times, compiled by Jeannie St John Taylor, AMG Publishers