Growing up Catholic, I remember doing the sign of the cross before and after prayers. Now I don’t do the sign, unless I’m with Catholics, I just end prayers with “In Jesus’ name” or something like that. At first I ended prayers that way because everyone else ended their prayers that way. Then I read in the Bible where Jesus actually tells His disciples to pray in that way.
The Scriptures also said every knee will bow at the name of Jesus. Now that is powerful! So why is the name Jesus so special?
An angel of the Lord told Mary and Joseph to name their child Jesus, which is the same as the Hebrew name Yeshua that means “Yahweh saves.” At the time, Jesus was a common name but only Jesus of Nazareth was sent by God to save us from our sins. It was written that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
As believers and followers of Christ, we are authorized by Jesus to serve and pray in His name. The power isn’t in the name but in the Person, the Son of God, that the name represents. There’s a story in the Bible about some non-believers who tried to use the name of Jesus to cast out evil spirits. Since they didn’t have a relationship with Jesus, it didn’t go well for them.
As I mentioned in a previous post, “Super Power,” Jesus gave us His spirit to be always with us. One of the spiritual gifts that is given to some believers is that of healing by the one Spirit. I’m still learning about how these gifts work. I do know that God is in control and He is good, so when He gives this gift of healing, it is for His glory and to point to Jesus.
We had people pray for Scott after his diagnosis of cancer. I believe that God answered our prayers with a successful surgery and no signs of cancer. Friends and family prayed in Jesus’ name and God saved us. We praise Him and give Him all the glory for providing the right doctors, the right treatments, the right medication, and everything that goes on in treating cancer.
Maybe I should start my prayers with “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” so that I remember how great our God is and that I don’t take praying in Jesus’ name for granted.
Prayer
Dear God in heaven,
You are such an awesome God! Thank you for sending Jesus to save us from sins so that we can have a relationship with you for eternity. May we not take for granted all that Jesus has done for us. Help us to be bold in our prayers so that Your will be done on Earth as it is in heaven
In Your Son’s name, Amen
Verses
John 14:13,14; 15:16; 16:23,24
Philippians 2:9,10
Matthew 1:21; 27:16,17
Luke 1:31
Colossians 4:11
Romans 10:13
Acts 19:13-16
1 Corinthians 12:7-10
Song
“In Jesus Name” by Katy Nichole
Call to action
If you have already prayed, read the verses, and listened to the suggested song, then read about Peter healing a crippled beggar in Acts 3 then tell us your thoughts.