Pray in My Name – John’s Gospel chapter 14 verses 12 to 14
Jesus’ disciples are troubled at His words “I am going away”.
A Great Mission
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.
John 14:12
Even greater things than Jesus’ miracles! Yes, BECAUSE He is going away. The very thing that troubles them is what is meant to give them hope. His mission was the forgiveness of sin, the entrance of many people into God’s family. The miracles of the physical realm were not the main thing. “My prayer is not for them (the disciples) alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message” (John 17:20). The catalyst for this great work is His going to the Father via the cross, and the coming of His Spirit, to energise a far greater work “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8). Only 120 disciples before Pentecost, but 3000 added on that very day, and then throughout the Roman world in a few decades. We are in the same age of the Holy Spirit. He keeps His promise to this day. The greatest miracle is the salvation of souls.
A Great Assurance
And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
John 14:13-14
A great mission, but an impossible mission for us. Therefore we must come to Him in prayer. In prayer in His name, aligned to His character and desire. That is, “your kingdom come, your will be done.” It is to long for what Christ desires. Then also it is a recognition of our dependence. We are not to pray “in our own name”, thinking God is under obligation to us. In prayer we learn what God wants. Activity before prayer is like putting the cart before the horse. Activity without prayer it is like pushing the cart ourselves. Humble dependence on God in prayer is what makes Satan tremble. “Open your mouth, and I will fill it.” (Psalm 81:10)
