Topical Bible: Answers To Prayer: Received by Those Who: Ask in the Name of Christ

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Topical Encyclopedia

The concept of asking in the name of Christ is a significant theme in Christian theology, emphasizing the authority and intercessory role of Jesus Christ in the believer's prayer life. This principle is rooted in the teachings of Jesus Himself, who instructed His followers to pray in His name as a means of accessing the Father and receiving answers to their petitions.

Biblical Foundation

The primary scriptural basis for this teaching is found in the Gospel of John. Jesus assures His disciples of the power and efficacy of praying in His name:

· John 14:13-14 : "And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it."

· John 15:16 : "You did not choose Me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will remain—so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you."

· John 16:23-24 : "In that day you will no longer ask Me anything. Truly, truly, I tell you, whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you. Until now you have not asked for anything in My name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete."

These passages highlight the promise that prayers offered in the name of Jesus are heard and answered, underscoring the unique relationship between the believer, Christ, and the Father.

Theological Implications

Praying in the name of Christ is not merely a formulaic conclusion to a prayer but signifies a deeper theological truth. It reflects the believer's faith in the redemptive work of Jesus and acknowledges His role as the mediator between God and humanity. The name of Jesus carries authority, and invoking it in prayer aligns the believer's requests with the will and purposes of God.

Conditions and Considerations

While the promise of answered prayer is assured, it is contingent upon certain conditions:

1. Alignment with God's Will: Prayers must be in accordance with God's will. As 1 John 5:14 states, "And this is the confidence that we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us."

2. Faith and Belief: The petitioner must have faith in Christ and believe in the power of His name. James 1:6 emphasizes the necessity of faith: "But he must ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind."

3. Righteousness and Obedience: A life of righteousness and obedience to God's commandments is essential. 1 John 3:22 notes, "And we will receive from Him whatever we ask, because we keep His commandments and do what is pleasing in His sight."

Examples in Scripture

The New Testament provides examples of prayers answered in the name of Christ:

· The Early Church: In Acts 3:6 , Peter heals a lame man by invoking the name of Jesus: "But Peter said, 'Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!'"

· Paul's Ministry: The Apostle Paul frequently prayed and performed miracles in the name of Jesus, demonstrating the power and authority vested in Christ's name (Acts 16:18).

Practical Application

For believers today, praying in the name of Christ involves a conscious recognition of His lordship and an earnest desire to see His will accomplished on earth. It is an invitation to participate in the divine relationship between the Father and the Son, trusting in the promise that God hears and responds to the prayers of those who approach Him through Jesus.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 14:13
And whatever you shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

In the Name of Christ
... ye pray, believe that ye have received," in the ... us to offer definite petitions, and
to expect definite answers. ... because we have too much confined prayer to our ...
/.../murray/the ministry of intercession/chapter xi in the name.htm

Letter v. Prayer and Fasting.
... up so many prayers without receiving answers?" The apostle ... of those persons whose
prayers have received the seal ... to live in the exercise of prevailing prayer. ...
/.../letter v prayer and fasting.htm

Ninteenth Lesson. I Go unto the Father!'
... with the small measure of grace already received, give ourselves ... work will be to
us a real school of prayer. ... to pray so as to obtain wonderful answers to prayer ...
/.../murray/with christ in the school of prayer/ninteenth lesson i go unto.htm

A Sheaf of Prayer Arrows
... words.' As long as we have not consciously received the blessing ... that he, touched
by the divine love, answers that love ... is too small to be made a prayer, it is ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/a sheaf of prayer arrows.htm

Answers to Prayer
... by precept and example taught those daughters that ... Mrs. Furlong received no assurance
whatever in her ... repeatedly proved that the Lord hears and answers prayer! ...
//christianbookshelf.org/various/the wonders of prayer/answers to prayer.htm

The Last Discourses of Christ - the Prayer of Consecration.
... to God; but the certainty of special answers to prayer ... chiefly these three things -
that they received the words ... And now He brought them in prayer before the ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xi the last discourses.htm

The Privilege of Prayer
... the Spirit's influence, or God's blessing cannot be received. ... and our heavenly Father
in love answers our prayers ... at the beginning and the ending of a prayer. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/steps to christ/chapter 11 the privilege of.htm

The Fulton St. Prayer Meeting.
... When the call came for those desiring prayers ... said at one meeting, "God answers prayer
in temporal ... Provisions in large quantities were received, thus verifying ...
/.../various/the wonders of prayer/the fulton st prayer meeting.htm

God Seeks Intercessors
... that those who in it have received from heaven ... the believers of their congregation
into those who can ... to prove how actually and abundantly He answers prayer. ...
/.../murray/the ministry of intercession/chapter xiv god seeks intercessors.htm

Prayer Perfumed with Praise
... petitions and sending his attendant angels with answers to our ... then, beloved, beyond
the fact of prayer and our ... as those which we have already received if we ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 25 1879/prayer perfumed with praise.htm