A. Jesus taught us many important things about praying during His earthly ministry. Out of seventeen instances where Jesus personally used the phrase “in My name,” six are connected with asking for things in prayer, “in My name.” But whether the phrase is used in connection with praying or serving our neighbor (“a cup of water in my name” Mark 9:41), or with the Father sending forth the Holy Spirit (John 14:26), the idea behind the phrase is always basically the same.

Another teaching from Jesus about prayer tells us what the phrase “in My name” does not mean. “When you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them” (Matthew 6:7-8). The mere, mechanical repetition of words does not mean we are praying, not even if the words are very religious sounding words. In the same way, mechanically tacking on the words “in Jesus’ name” would not suddenly make the prayer of a non–Christian acceptable before the Father in heaven. As Jesus taught in even plainer words, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). It is only because Jesus has the authority to give us the privilege of prayer, that we are able to approach our heavenly Father.

Through God-given faith in Jesus we are “connected to” Jesus. Everything Scripture has revealed to us about Jesus is part of His “name.” In English, we use a similar phrase. We might say that someone we admire “has a good name in our community.” What we mean is that they enjoy a good reputation. God’s reputation —or “good name”— is based on everything He has revealed to us in Scripture about Himself. That “good name” includes His gracious mercy, His justice, and especially our “adoption as sons” when He declares us not guilty of sin for Jesus’ sake.

In connection with all those things and more, we have the privilege of prayer. Anyone who believes in Jesus as the only source of forgiveness and eternal life already has that connection. If we are Christians, we are always praying “in Jesus’ name”, whether we actually think or speak those exact words or not. Having our prayers heard and acted upon by our heavenly Father is not based on something we do to deserve it, such as speaking a specific prayer formula. Having our prayers heard by our heavenly Father is based on everything connected with the reputation, or “good name” of Jesus.

Paul Zager is pastor of Holton Lutheran Church in Holton, Michigan and a member of the ELS Doctrine Committee.

Send your questions to: Pastor Paul Zager, P.O. Box 181, Twin Lakes, MI 49457.