20 Jun W1 | Prayer with Authority, Asking in Jesus Name

Posted at 17:44h in July, Topics 2026 by

REFERENCE BIBLE VERSES

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‭‭John‬ ‭14‬:‭12‬-‭14‬ ‭NIV‬‬ | Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭12‬:‭4‬-‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬ | There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

OBJECTIVE

To pray in Jesus’ name is to invoke His identity and the authority He has conferred upon His followers to do the works of Jesus.

CONTENT

Carrying on the Work of Jesus

  • As followers of Jesus we are given works in this world. Whatever the specific works that Jesus has in mind, we are pointers to Jesus which help people believe in him that lead people to faith. “Whoever believes in me will do the works I do” — the works that point people to faith. If you are a believer in Jesus, that’s what your life is. Your works, your life is a display of the trustworthiness of Jesus.
  • The work of Jesus is not just for the apostles, pastors, evangelists but for all whoever believes in Him. Before we are sent out, we must first have that relationship and intimacy with Jesus Himself to understand Him and His heart.
  • We may all have different kinds of gifts. But as we have received the authority from Jesus, He will enable us to carry His work in this world when we ask in the name of Jesus.
  • God’s work doesn’t just happen on stage, church, ministry but we ought to carry it at home, workplaces, and the people around us. We are carrying His works through our words, actions and how we live daily.
  • The goal is not recognition but faithfulness. Jesus states the ultimate goal of these powerful prayers is "so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”

Alignment with His Character

  • Simply adding “In Jesus name” at the end of a prayer does not automatically grant a blank check for selfish or frivolous desires. He was giving us a guiding principle to align one’s desires with God’s. When we pray “in Jesus’ name,” we pray according to the will of God; we pray for what will honor and glorify Jesus. God will provide the means necessary to accomplish His objectives, and He equips us as His servants. Ultimately, God receives all the glory and praise for what is done.
  • Jesus is encouraging confidence and faithfulness in prayer. When Jesus says to pray “in my name,” He means that we can pray in His authority. He has provided the access we need to heaven. When our requests, made in the name of His Son, further God’s purposes and kingdom, God will act on our behalf, and in the end the Father will be “glorified in the Son” (John 14:13). A good example of such a prayer is Christ’s in the garden where He prayed, “Not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42).
  • The work of Jesus is rooted in His characters - humility, compassion, obedience, love.
  • Carrying the work of Jesus is not merely doing things for God—it is walking closely with Jesus until His heart, love, and mission become visible through our lives. To pray in Jesus’ name means praying from a relationship with Jesus, aligned with His heart, and confident in His authority—not our own.

REFLECTION/DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  • What do you think it looks like today to carry the work of Jesus through prayer?
  • How can we pray with authority without becoming prideful or demanding?

REFERENCES