PRAYING IN JESUS' NAME (JOHN 14:13-14)

In terms of teachings on prayer, R.E. Brown recognizes four distinct but related categories found in John's writing, especially in John 14-16:

    a. Those in which Jesus himself will answer prayers given in his name (John 14:13-14).

    b. Those in which God answers prayers given in Jesus' name (John 15:16 and 16:23).

    c. Requests granted, but no mention of “in my name” (John 15:7 and 16:24). In these cases, God is inferred to be the grantor.

    d. The request is granted by God without Jesus' name being invoked (John 16:26; I John 3:21-22; 5:14-15).

The concept of “name” is an extremely important theological term in the Bible, with the word appearing over 1,000 times. F.F. Bruce's extensive entry in the New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology contains a number of statements pertinent to the passage at hand:

    “In the faith and thought of virtually every nation the name is inextricably bound up with the person, whether of a man, a god, or a demon.”

    “Of primary significance is the name of Yahweh, which he himself made known in his revelation (Gen. 17:1; Exod. 3:14; 6:2)...The name of Yahweh, indeed, is such a powerful expression of his personal rule and activity that it can be used as an alternative way of speaking of Yahweh himself (Lev. 18:21; Ps. 7:17; Amos 2:7; Mic. 5:4).”

    “God gives the Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus (Jn. 14:26)...And in his name the congregation prays (Jn. 14:13f; 15:16) – that is, according to his will and instruction, in order that the commission may be fulfilled, which Jesus gave to his own. This is the reason why these prayers are heard.”

    “'Name and power' are used parallel to one another (Acts 4:7; 16:18).”

    “Such statements show that the OT manner of speaking of the name of Yahweh has been transferred to Jesus and his name.”

In Mark 9 we are told about some people not officially belonging to Jesus' inner circle who were successfully casting out demons in Jesus' name. But in Acts 19, some itinerant Jewish exorcists attempt to use the same formula and are instead beaten up by the evil spirit for their troubles since the demon knows that they are not really representing Christ at all.

The NT Epistles have something to say on the subject also. Starting with Paul, we find that the concept of “Jesus' name” is used in various contexts:

    Paul speaks about the church in Corinth “calling on the name” (I Corinthians 1:2).

    He appeals to that church in Jesus' name to be in agreement with one another (I Corinthians 1:10).

    Paul passes judgment on a man in the name of Christ (I Corinthians 5:3-4).

    He states that the Corinthians were sanctified and justified in his name (I Corinthians 6:11).

    Ephesians 5:20 says, “Give thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

    Colossians 3:17: “Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

    Paul commands the Thessalonians in I Thessalonians 3:6 in Jesus' name to keep away from idle believers.

Despite all of the above, as far as I was able to determine, Paul never uses “in Jesus' name” in his own prayers found in Acts and Paul's letters. Therefore, this is another indication that it is not a mere formula that must be recited each time we pray.

The Epistle to the Hebrews brings out another aspect to this issue. Hebrews 4:14-16; 10:19-25; and 13:15 explain that it is only because we have Jesus as a High Priest in heaven that we have free access to the Father for both praises and requests. This is therefore another aspect of what “in Jesus' name” may mean in relationship to prayer.

All of the above goes together to prove the commonly agreed meaning of “in his name” found in John 14:13-14:

    Bietenhard suggests that “'asking in Jesus' name' probably means praying both 'according to his will' and 'with the invocation of his name.'” (Borchert)

    Morris: “This does not mean using the name as a formula. It means that prayer to be in accordance with all that the name stands for. It is prayer proceeding from faith in Christ, prayer that gives expression to a unity with all that Christ stands for, prayer which seeks to set forward Christ Himself.”

    Blum: “'In My name,' is not a magic formula of invocation. But the prayers of believers, as Christ's representatives doing His business, will be answered.”