“If you ask anything in My name, I will do it” – Jesus, John 14:14
In Jesus’ Name…
We’re taught in church not to use the Lord’s name in vain. What that means to us is not saying things like “Oh my God!” when something crazy happens, and certainly not saying the big “G-D”. That is all well and good. I do not personally appreciate people invoking the name of God when they don’t really mean it (especially people who don’t even believe in Him…why do they keep saying His name if He doesn’t exist?).
Last night something hit me. I use Jesus’ name in vain all the time. Almost daily. Probably several times a day.
I was praying, and after I finished with my “In Jesus’ name, Amen,” I realized I didn’t mean half of what I had just said. I mean, I meant it in my head, but I didn’t really mean it in my heart. When I pray, I am speaking to my Lord and Savior. I am thanking Him for what He has done, asking His forgiveness for the sins I commit that put Him on the cross, petitioning Him to bring healing into someone’s life. At least that’s what should be happening. Instead, more often than I’d care to admit, the effect is something like, “Hey, Jesus, how’s it goin? Hey, I’m sorry for that stuff I did. I won’t do it again (but I probably will). Oh, and by the way, can you take care of this person for me? Thanks, man! I’ll holla at you later.”
I don’t mean to sound crass, but when I finished praying last night, that’s what I felt like the heart of my prayer was, even though it sounded more “spiritual”. Then to top it off, I added “In Jesus’ name” to the end. At that point, God really spoke to me and said “How dare you use My Son’s name so flippantly? After all He’s done for you, you have that much disrespect for His authority?” I had to repent for praying the way I did, and today it hurts me that I hurt Him so much yesterday.
His name is not just a name. It’s not just something we say. It has power. It has strength. It has victory. He said himself that if we ask anything – *anything* – in His name, He will do it. There isn’t a person alive who can claim that kind of integrity. Even more than integrity, sometimes the stuff He does in His name is literally impossible for humans to do. I believe there is much, much more to the name of Jesus than we realize. It’s no wonder the Jews didn’t write out God’s name. They realized the power in it. Somehow I think I have lost that realization, and I want it back.
Think about this the next time you pray. Are you praying as if you’re speaking to the Love of your life, your Savior, your God? Do you really mean what you’re saying, or is it just habit? Be careful how you use Jesus’ name in your prayers…you may find you’re almost as profane as I am.
-j
I'm Jason, and I like to write.
profound.
Amen, not something about which one usually thinks.