In Jesus Name

 Many who offer prayers to Jehovah God end them with, “In Jesus name, Amen.” These are not just “fill words,” these are powerful words attempting to link the thoughts and desires of the one praying to Jesus. However, we must carefully consider the things to which Jesus would like to be linked. If we consider His actions while on earth, those actions were generally about the welfare of others. While Jesus healed Jews who believed in Him (26 times e.g. Jn. 5:2), those who were surprised by Him (e.g. widow at Nain (Lk. 7:11-17), He also granted the request from a desperate Gentile woman (Matt. 15:21-28) or believing Romans (when he noted He had not found faith like this in Israel – Matt. 8:10). As God, Jesus knew all about the lives of all people He met. He could slip through crowds (Lk. 4:30-32), or later slip into locked rooms as He desired (Jn. 20:19). His life purpose was focused on others; only once did He ask for another way to accomplish the task He had accepted. While He could have decided to walk away from the act of crucifixion, in Gethsemane, He chose (Mk. 14:32-42) to suffer for the creation He generated (Jn. 1:1). When we pray and end with “in Jesus name,” let’s try to be sure our requests are things consistent with God’s desires and are consistent with Jesus’ desires. We need to pray as Paul encouraged the Ephesians, ". . . praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints," - Eph. 6:18 (ESV). Our personal physical desires are important, but spiritual issues more so.