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The song "In His Name" echoes divine promises found in the Gospel of John, particularly John 14:13-14: _"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."_ Here we touch upon a profound truth, the power inherent in asking in Jesus' name. Let us look at what the Word of God says.
In the fourteenth chapter of John, we find ourselves in the upper room with Jesus and His disciples just before His crucifixion. This is part of what theologians call the "Farewell Discourse." Jesus is preparing His closest followers for His departure, assuring them of the coming of the Holy Spirit, and planting within them truths that will sustain their faith. Jesus is not just conveying mere promises; He is revealing the key to a life fused with divine power and purpose. Here, Jesus reassures the disciples of His continued presence and assurance of answered prayer when asked in His name.
The Greek word for "name" used here is "ὄνομα" (*onoma*), which goes beyond a simple label for identity. In biblical usage, it denotes the character, authority, and power of a person. When Jesus invites us to ask in His "name," He is instructing us to invoke His divine authority and align ourselves with His purpose and character.
The word for "ask" in Greek is "αἰτέω" (*aiteo*), which doesn’t merely mean making a request. It speaks to a petition made with faith and humility, acknowledging the sovereignty of the one being asked. This means that to ask in His name is not rooted in self-interest but in a pursuit of God’s will and glory.
The song opens with the assurance of Jesus' commitment to answering prayers offered in His name, tying directly into His agenda of glorifying the Father through the Son. This is the dominant theme: _"so that the Father may be glorified in the Son."_ Indeed, the primary purpose of our prayers should align with God’s glory. This aligns with the Lord’s Prayer where Jesus taught His disciples to first prioritize the sanctity and supremacy of God's name (Matthew 6:9).
The lyrics, much like Jesus’ words, emphasize keeping His commands as an expression of love: "If you love me, keep my commands." This reflects the truth that obedience to Christ is a demonstration of our love for Him. True believers are characterized by faith and obedient action, as seen in John 14:15, "If you love me, keep my commands."
Furthermore, Jesus speaks of believers doing even "greater things," based on their faith in Him and His works. This particular promise — "they will do even greater things than these" — must be understood in light of the expansion of God's kingdom realized through the Spirit-filled church. Jesus, returning to the Father, enables the Holy Spirit's indwelling, empowering us to fulfill His mission (John 16:7).
The repeated refrains within the lyrics stress the same resolve: to ask in His divine authority (“in His name”) and to expect fulfillment as this glorifies God. Jesus is not merely a means to our ends; He is the very essence and purpose of our petitions.
Understanding the scriptural promise requires practical steps to apply these truths:
### Proclamation:
"In the name of Jesus, I declare my requests align with His will. I stand in faith for God's purposes to manifest in my life. I proclaim that my prayers glorify the Father through the Son. I am empowered by the Holy Spirit to walk in obedience, to ask in His name, and believe with unwavering faith. In Jesus' mighty name, so shall it be."
### Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I thank You for the privilege of coming before Your throne in the powerful name of Jesus. I ask for a deeper understanding of Your will and a heart of obedience that honors you. Align my desires with Your divine purposes. Empower me through Your Holy Spirit to do the works that bring glory to Your name. I trust in Your promises and rest in the assurance of Your faithfulness. In Jesus' name, Amen.
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