I’ve been thinking about why we pray in Jesus’ name and the difference it makes in our prayer.

The why of praying in Jesus’ name is straightforward: Jesus tells us to. “You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.”

This also speaks to the difference praying in Jesus’ name can make. Truly, there is power in the name of Jesus, and we tap into that power when we pray in Jesus’ name. Scripture and experience bears this out. We have all heard and seen and even felt the power of prayers offered in Jesus’ name. Hope is restored, people are healed and even the dead are raised in response to prayers in Jesus’ name.

At the same time, praying in Jesus’ name also governs the kinds of things we pray in His name. In other words, praying in His name requires us to ask if what we pray will bring him glory and if is it consistent with His revealed character and will.

The bottom line is that praying in Jesus’ name is both a right and a responsibility. It’s something I hope you will lean into.