But I Said In Jesus Name...

Before I became a believer, I knew to end every prayer with the phrase "In the Name of Jesus."  It was years after my salvation before I begin to think about why we say it all the time.  Even when someone prays and don't use those words, we insert it in our minds.  I think we believe if we tag His name on the end of a prayer or plaster it on a program, we have His stamp of approval. 

"In His Name" is not a magical phrase or a lucky charm that allows us to do anything or get everything we want.  It denotes relationship.  I know many feel like we are in partnership with God.  We sing, "Jesus take the wheel" while we are still trying to shift the gears and press the gas and brake pedals.  He is the Leader and we are His followers.  Jesus' request was for us to follow Him, not walk with Him on equal footing.  When we learn to follow Him, we become friends, even family, who follow His lead.  After all, we see with very limited vision.  Our  truth is developed out of our very finite abilities to process information.  We make decisions based on known factors when there is so much we can't see or know.  On the other hand, God sees the whole picture - wait...He created the picture.  He knows all of the facts and details (including your desires).  He also knows, better than we do, all that we are capable of when we follow His lead and believe His word.    

¹⁴For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.  Romans 8:14(NKJV)

I firmly believe you can walk so closely with God that His leading becomes transparent in the spirit realm.  In other words, you are following so intimately that you know you are on course and if you deviate, you sense it immediately.  It is that "oneness" with Him, that releases Him to answer your prayers, even the unspoken ones.  It is that agreement between His role and your role, that allows you to freely ask and receive. 

²¹that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.  ²²And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 
²³I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.  John 17:21-23(NKJV)

In Jesus name  is more than a statement, a mantra, a magic-prayer-granting-ending to your petitions.  It is a lifestyle of agreement with the Almighty One.  When we really choose to follow, we no longer make plans, rattle off prayer desires and check off our weekly commitments of time with Him by adding that phrase.  Instead, we approach the day with an openness and flexibility that allows Him to see through your actions that you live IN HIS NAME. 

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.  ¹³And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  ¹⁴If you ^£ask anything in My name, I will do it.  John 14:12-14(NKJV)

I pray that you truly let Him take the wheel and lead you each and every day - In Jesus Name!