Tuesday, May 20, 2008

In His Name.......

You know how there are words and phrases we throw around all the time and don't really know how to live them out? Love, Faith, Hope, Joy, Walking in the Spirit, Abiding in Christ.....I have asked God to show me what these really mean, what they look like in action. Another one for me was, praying "In Jesus Name."

And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit-fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.

In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.

I think I had written "What does this really mean, Lord?" by all of these verses in my Bible. I don't know completely what it means but there is one thing I have learned that is really cool.

He trusts us enough to let us use His name. We come before the Father, and ask Him for something in Jesus Name. Imagine if the president of the United States trusted us enough to let us sign his name on something? Jesus has given us that power.

Obviously, in His mercy and wisdom, we don't get everything we ask for in His name. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. James 4:3. My pleasure used to be my only concern and I couldn't figure out why He never answered my prayers. When I started to ask for things for His glory and kingdom, I was shocked at how quickly and powerfully He answered my prayers. Some things I am still waiting for, but I believe He is doing them. A lot of my selfish, glory~for~me prayers, He is still graciously ignoring. :)

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

I remember the first time I heard you pray that, or were we talking? Anywhooo, it sounds "huge" when you say it like that. It's something we can relate to...the president of the united states letting me sign his name to something, that's a wee bit scary. So, when we pray in the name of Jesus - look.out. Power!

Tawny said...

Was it at our first Leader's Retreat? The one in the snow with the horrible plastic on the mattresses? I think I had just realized this right before then.

Anonymous said...

oooohhh, I like that!
My Jesus, my Creator, my King...I get to say that I'm speaking on his behalf...makes me a little more conscious about what I'm requesting. Yep.

[So does that mean I need to take "Please give me a new fluffy, feather pillow" off the list?]

Tawny said...

Yep, you will have to pray that your ENEMY gets that pillow. :)

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad God has "graciously ignored" so many of my prayers.

Tawny said...

Hey Pete!
Thanks for stopping by! :)