Sunday 29^th September 2013,

Praying in the Name of Jesus Christ by Ange-Michel Muhayimana

Scripture Reference: Hebrews 1:1-3

Prayer is a way we have been given to have communion and fellowship with God. We don’t pray to beg God to do things for us but we pray to build our relationship With Him. Prayer is a dialogue and an interaction with our God. So, praying in the Name of Jesus Christ is something God has given us to build that fellowship and communion with Him.

The bible says : “In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.” (Hebrews 1:1-2) .In the Old Testament, the high priest represented people before God and had to give an offering for God to approve and hear his prayers. But today, the bible says that God speaks to us through Christ Jesus, our High priest. He gave the sacrifice of His body on the cross, once for all and through Him, we can hear God speak to us and we can speak to Him 24/7.

In Hebrews 1:2, we see that God appointed Christ as His heir, just like Abraham made Isaac His heir. And we, us Christ’s disciples, are Co-heirs with Him of all things (Romans 8:17). For all things were created through Him and for Him, the bible says in Colossians 1:15-17. All things in Heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible belong to Jesus Christ, for they were created for Him.

Jesus Christ said: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” To get to the Father, you have to go through Jesus Christ.  God gave Jesus Christ the name that is above all other names (Phil 2:9-11). There is an authority behind every name. When people mention the name “Ange- Michel”, you don’t think of the president because there is nothing that Ange-Michel has done that can be associated with that title.

In the same way, God invested His power in the name of Jesus Christ. There are many who are called Jesus but there is One Jesus Christ- Lord of Lords and King of Kings. The seven sons of sceva tried to use the name of Jesus Christ and they were thoroughly beaten up because they did not know who Christ is and the authority in His name.

We should know that God is glorified over the things that are done in the name of Jesus Christ. John 14: 13 says: “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” There is nothing that God does without passing through the name of Jesus Christ and the promise that Jesus made still stands today.  He said “In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name” (John 16:23). Notice the word whatever here, meaning everything! Then you ask, “How come have I not seen an answer to my prayers? For a job, for a wife, for a husband, for a child, etc.?”

1 John 5:14 says: “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. ¹⁵ And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.” We should ensure that when we asked God something, it is according to His will, first of all. Secondly, we should also be willing to wait for the “Kairos” moment, the opportune moment, the right time God has prepared for us to receive the answers to our prayers. And we should wait with the right attitude, with an attitude of expectation and thankfulness.

So, let’s pray in the name of Jesus Christ, knowing that whatever we ask in His name, we receive!

Two more verses to consult on this topic Mark 11:23 and James 4:3