Have you ever wondered what “In My Name” really means?  It is widely used by multitudes in the church to end prayers and supposedly command things to happen. But is that really what it is about?

In a way, you could say that Jesus’ name has largely been treated like an incantation.

John 14:12 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. 13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.

This has confused some over the generations who have treated “In My Name” as being a phrase to add to the end of a prayer in order to guarantee the desired outcome, or to command things to happen.  But, many have used the name in that manner and nothing happened. So some became disillusioned about prayer being answered or about the believers’ authority in Christ.  The Bible testifies that hope deferred makes the heart sick.  So to me, it is of great importance that we better understand what this is all about.

Mark 16:15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

The name of Jesus is not an incantation to be used to get a desired outcome.  It is not the magic phrase that makes God want to do something He might otherwise be disinclined to do.  Jesus modeled it for us.

John 17:6 “I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. 7 Now they have known that all things which You have given Me are from You.

Now, to my knowledge there is no place in all of the Gospels where we find Jesus saying “In the Father’s Name.”  When He is healing the sick, or raising the dead, performing miracles, or casting out demons, there’s no record of Jesus saying “in the name of the Father.” But we just read that Jesus manifested the name of the Father to the men He had been given.

The desire of the Holy Spirit is that we would be in such close fellowship with all three of the Godhead that our desires would reflect theirs just as Jesus’ desires reflected the Father’s.

That is why being unsure of God’s will cannot be overridden by adding, “In Jesus Name” to the end of a prayer or command.  Adding the name does not activate our faith in Him.  When Jesus said you will ask whatever you will “In My Name” and it will be done for you, He was not speaking of worldly desires being fulfilled by use of a magic phrase.  Jesus was saying when you are determined to represent Me and you are asking for something rooted in what you’ve come to know about Me, it will be done for you.  You see, when you know who He is, and you’re confident in knowing His ways, you have faith to speak and to act. (Acts 3:1-16)  Peter and John knew Jesus well.  They acted based on their knowing Him and knowing His desire.  They did for the lame man what they knew Jesus would do.  It resulted in a great miracle that opened a door of opportunity for them to preach the gospel.

In other words, you will be backed up when you are representing Jesus in your life!  You and I are called to live in the power of “In My Name.”