Joni and Friends Devotional – 2 December 2022, Friday Message. As you study today’s devotional, remember this; “Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 (NLT)
TOPIC: In the Name of Jesus
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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. – John 14:13-14
These are profound words from the lips of Jesus. Let’s examine his promise closely. “I will do whatever you ask in my name.” What does that mean? Surely, more than saying “In Jesus’s name” at the end of a prayer just before saying the Amen. To pray in the name of Jesus is to pray admitting that God hears me only because I’m the guest of his Son. It’s to pray in the bold but respectful way that Jesus did while on earth.
To pray in Jesus’s name is to ask God for the things Jesus taught us to. He summarizes them in the Lord’s Prayer: spiritual things, eternal things.
“This, then, is how you should pray:
‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.’” Matthew 6:9-13
Only one request in six deals with earth-bound matters, and even there he taught us to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread,” not, “Bless the Dow Jones Average and please be with the NASDAQ in the next financial quarter.”
Of course it’s not wrong to pray beyond our basic needs; to pray that Susie will find her lost kitten, that none of us will catch colds this winter, and that Christmas will hurry up and get here. God loves to hear pre-schoolers pray.
But Jesus also invites grown-ups to cast all anxiety on him, and pray about everything (1 Peter 5:7; Philippians 4:6). But do we really think Jesus gave us a blank check for an easy life? Do we imagine we can pray our way clear of trials? Think again, and “in your thinking be adults” (1 Corinthians 14:20).
Your name is precious, Jesus, and I want to come before you in prayer and ask for the sorts of things that are on your heart. Give me your ideas in prayer.
Thank you for reading Joni and Friends Devotional – 2 December 2022 Message for Friday. Encourage someone today by sharing this great Gospel.
