"Study to show thyself approved unto God ... " 2 Timothy 2:15
When Jesus taught his disciples, "The Lord's Prayer," why wasn't it ended in Christ's name?
Answer:
The Lord's Prayer is recorded by Matthew 6:9-13 and, partially, in Lk.11:2-4.
It does not end, "in Jesus' name" because Jesus was not the mediator between God and man at that time. Until Christ died, rose, and ascended to Heaven to place His blood on Heaven's mercy seat, prayers were offered with the mediation of Jewish priests and the blood of animals placed on the earthly Mercy Seat within the Holy of Holies. There the High Priest interceded for the people.
Since Christ's resurrection, ascension, and the placing of his precious blood on Heaven's Mercy Seat, we pray in Jesus' name. Our access to God is now through Jesus, the only mediator between God and man.
Praying in Jesus' name means:
we pray by Christ's authority and in agreement with his will.
we pray for things that will honor and glorify Christ.
we ask God to act on our behalf because of our privileged relationship with Christ.
That is the essence of praying in Jesus' name.
"This is the confidence we have in Him that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us" (1 John 5:14-15).
"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31).
� 2006 Grace Kemp. All rights reserved. Non-commercial use of this article permitted.
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