Today we continue our series entitled, “The Benefits of Prayer and Fasting,” with an emphasis on “The Power of Prayer.” In our last message we looked at John 16:22-24. I want to go back to that passage this morning. Jesus said:
“So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy. At that time you won’t need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name. You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.”
(John 16:22-24 NLT)
In John chapter 16 Jesus was preparing His disciples for this impending death and departure. These guys had been totally reliant on Jesus for well over three years. While they were relying on Him, Jesus was relying on the Father. Since Jesus knew He would soon be gone, He wanted the disciples to learn to depend on the Father directly. Jesus said, “At that time you won’t need to ask Me for anything.” To this point in their lives and ministry, the disciples’ petitions were directed at Jesus. Jesus wanted them to shift their focus to the Father directly. So Jesus went on to say, “I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and He will grant your request because you use My name. You haven’t done this before. Ask, using My name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.” Let me highlight a few things here:
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. We are supposed to pray to the “Father.”
a) This may seem like a small point, but actually it is not. When Jesus talked to others about God, like most of us, had no problem with calling God “God.” But when Jesus was praying to God and addressing Him directly, He always addressed Him as His “Father.” When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray, He gave them a model for prayer that started with the words, “Our Father,” not “Our God.”
b) Jesus did not pray to a foreign or disconnected God. Jesus prayed to a loving, caring, and sharing heavenly Father. When speaking to God directly Jesus called Him “Father” because He came to Him as a Son. Jesus taught His disciples to pray the same way.
c) If you see God as simply a God, then you will see yourself as a subject, servant or slave. But when you see God as a “Father” and you see yourself as a son or daughter, you are in position to address Him with another level of intimacy, confidence, boldness and expectation. Why? Because your children have access to you that others do not have. You children have rights with you that you don’t grant to other people. So, when you pray, remember that you are a SON, not a subject, servant or slave. That makes the world of a difference. Understanding your position with God impacts your disposition in prayer!
2. When we approach the Father in prayer, it must be in the name of His Son.
a) Jesus instructed His disciples to pray directly the Father and He also made it clear that they were only able to do so because He authorized them to use His name.
b) The only way we could ever address the Father directly is because of Jesus. The only reason we could ever have confidence when we pray, is because of Jesus. As Jesus is, so are we, in this world!
c) Make sure you understand that in and of yourself, you have no righteousness. You have only been declared righteous because of the Blood of Jesus. You have no right to approach the Father on our own. But when you acknowledge the fact that Jesus died for your sin and rose for your redemption, you can approach throne of the Father, IN THE NAME of the Son, with boldness and confidence. Your boldness comes from Jesus, not from you!
d) Lastly, I don’t want to pick nits here, but don’t pray to Jesus. Pray to the Father, in the name of Jesus, there is a difference. Simply put, if you want to get results in prayer you need to pray in accordance with how the Bible teaches us to pray.
Closing Confession:
Father, this is a season of expectation for me. The more I learn about prayer, the more amazed I am that You give me direct access to You, in the name of Your Son. I know my faults, flaws and failures. On my own, I would never be worthy of approaching Your throne. But Jesus was worthy for me. I am MADE righteous by the Blood of Jesus. Now I can come boldly before Your throne, in the name of Your Son, to receive the grace to help in the time of need. Thank You Father for loving me enough to give me access to You in prayer. I use this access in the morning and throughout each day! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!
