24 Series Devotionals - Day 29
The Privilege of Prayer
“Whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. (John 14:13)
In the upper room during Jesus’ last supper on earth, He spoke to his disciples about his departure, assuring them they had the privilege of prayer. But He didn’t stop there; he gave them the seven principles of powerful prayer.
1. Prayer reveres God
As we read in the opening quote above, this first mention of the privilege of prayer gives the preeminent purpose for prayer: That the Father may be glorified. If we forget that, our prayers are handicapped from the first word. As we examine these seven principles of prayer, we will see the importance of our requirements and results of prayer. But it all assumes glory belongs to God.
Principle: My ways are not God’s ways; my thoughts are not God’s thoughts.
This reminder of the focus of powerful prayer follows an incredible promise by Jesus. Take at look at verse 12:
“Truly, truly, I say unto you, he who Believes in Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go to the Father.” (By the way, whenever Jesus says, “Truly, truly,” it means “Pay attention! This is important!)
2. Prayer respects Jesus’ name
John 14:14: If you ask Me anything in my name. I will do it.
“In My name” means at least two separate things:
A. Praying in God’s will
Jesus uses the phrase “in my name” in six of the seven prayer promises he made in the upper room. When we pray in Jesus’ name, it means we respect God’s will. Jesus always did what the Father asked of Him. Christ’s name is not a lucky charm that guarantees God’s attention, nor does it imply ending every prayer with some formula like “in Jesus’ name, amen.”
Praying in the name of Jesus, means that we ask what Jesus would ask, what would please Him, and what would bring Him glory by furthering His work. When we pray in Jesus’ name, we pray according to his nature. And it means we pray according to God’s will.