{"id":650,"date":"2009-01-16T03:01:12","date_gmt":"2009-01-16T03:01:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/markdroberts\/2009\/01\/should-christians-say-in-jesus-name-at-the-end-of-our-prayers.html"},"modified":"2009-01-16T03:01:12","modified_gmt":"2009-01-16T03:01:12","slug":"should-christians-say-in-jesus-name-at-the-end-of-our-prayers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/2009\/01\/should-christians-say-in-jesus-name-at-the-end-of-our-prayers.html","title":{"rendered":"Should Christians Say \u201cIn Jesus\u2019 Name\u201d at the End of Our Prayers?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Part 4 of series: Rick Warren, the Obama Inauguration, and Praying in Jesus’ Name
\n<\/em>Permalink for this post<\/a> \/ Permalink for this series<\/a>
\nIn this series I intend to answer the question of whether or not Rick Warren should say \u201cin Jesus\u2019 name\u201d at the end of his invocation in the inauguration of Barack Obama as President of the United States. But, as is typical for my blog, I didn\u2019t jump to a quick answer to that question. I began with looking at what the Bible teaches about praying in the name of Jesus. As it turns out, Jesus himself taught his followers to pray in his name. But that does not refer to the words they say at the end of their prayers. Rather, to pray in Jesus\u2019 name is to pray in his authority and according to his mission. Jesus never taught his disciples to say \u201cin Jesus\u2019 name\u201d at the end of their prayers, and this practice is not seen in the New Testament prayers of the early church.
\nThe biblical material I\u2019ve surveyed points to a question I\u2019d like to address before finally getting to the issue of Warren\u2019s inaugural prayer. Should we Christians say \u201cin Jesus\u2019 name\u201d at the end of our prayers?<\/em> Given that there is no biblical requirement for this, is it something we should do? Or is it some traditional practice that we should leave behind?
\nThe danger of saying \u201cin Jesus\u2019 name\u201d at the end of our prayers is thinking that somehow this practice makes our prayers more effective. The phrase \u201cin Jesus\u2019 name\u201d becomes, for us, an incantation, magic words we use to produce a particular effect. I do think this danger exists, because I once believed that I had to say \u201cin Jesus\u2019 name\u201d or something similar at the end of my prayers in order for God to hear them. I don\u2019t remember whether I was taught this by one of my Sunday School teachers at church, or whether I thought it up by myself on the basis of what I observed at church. Nevertheless, for me, praying in Jesus\u2019 name was no more or no less than saying \u201cin Jesus\u2019 name, Amen\u201d before I opened my eyes and went about my business.
\nIs this really so bad? Well, there certainly are worse things than thinking of \u201cin Jesus\u2019 name\u201d as magic words. But if Christians think they way, they may not realize the deeper and more wonderful meaning of \u201cin Jesus\u2019 name.\u201d They may not understand and celebrate their access to God\u2019s throne of grace through Jesus. And they may not realize that their prayers should reflect Jesus\u2019 agenda, rather than their own selfish interests.
\nPerhaps a greater problem is that Christians might live under a legalistic interpretation of praying in Jesus\u2019 name, whereby they think that the words \u201cin Jesus\u2019 name\u201d must be used or God will not hear their prayers. Worse still, some Christians might judge other Christians who, for whatever reason, choose not to say \u201cin Jesus\u2019 name\u201d before \u201cAmen.\u201d I have observed this kind of thing and it\u2019s too bad. It misses the true meaning of Jesus\u2019 teaching and it divides the body of Christ. Given what we have seen in Scripture, it\u2019s clear that Christians are certainly free in Christ not<\/em> to say \u201cin Jesus\u2019 name\u201d when they pray. Judging those who omit this phrase is a mistake.
\nSo, given the potential downside of saying \u201cin Jesus\u2019 name,\u201d is there an upside? Yes, I think so. If I know what it actually means to pray in Jesus\u2019 name, then saying the words \u201cin Jesus\u2019 name\u201d could serve as a reminder to me, and to any who might hear me, of my standing before God as I pray. Moreover, it could also encourage me to pray according to Jesus\u2019 mission. Additionally, if a praying community regularly says \u201cin Jesus\u2019 name\u201d or some equivalent in their prayers, it potentially keeps their focus in the right place. It\u2019s as if they are saying to each other: \u201cWe are here because of Jesus. We are able to approach God in prayer because of Jesus. We are seeking to pray that which honors and glorifies him. Let the will of Jesus be done here.\u201d
\nBut what should we do when we\u2019re praying in a more open setting, in which many of those gathered are not Christians? This is the challenge facing Rick Warren next Tuesday. I\u2019ll begin to offer my thoughts on Monday (too late to help our Rick, I\u2019m afraid :)).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Part 4 of series: Rick Warren, the Obama Inauguration, and Praying in Jesus’ Name Permalink for this post \/ Permalink for this series In this series I intend to answer the question of whether or not Rick Warren should say \u201cin Jesus\u2019 name\u201d at the end of his invocation in the inauguration of Barack Obama…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":214,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[36],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-650","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-praying-in-jesuss-name"],"yoast_head":"\nShould Christians Say \u201cIn Jesus\u2019 Name\u201d at the End of Our Prayers? - Mark D. 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Roberts","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-content\/wphb-cache\/gravatar\/f2d\/f2ddf5f080861f66ea230384f9d1bab2x96.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-content\/wphb-cache\/gravatar\/f2d\/f2ddf5f080861f66ea230384f9d1bab2x96.jpg","caption":"Mark D. Roberts"},"description":"The Rev. Dr. Mark D. Roberts is a pastor, author, retreat leader, speaker, and blogger. Since October 2007 he has been the Senior Director and Scholar-in-Residence for Laity Lodge, a multifaceted ministry in the Hill Country of Texas. Before coming to Laity Lodge, he was for sixteen years the Senior Pastor of Irvine Presbyterian Church in Irvine, California (a city in Orange County about forty miles south of Los Angeles). Before his time at Irvine Pres, Mark served on the staff of the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood as Associate Pastor of Education. (Thanks to Janel Pahl for taking the photo to the right.) Mark studied at Harvard University, receiving a B.A. in Philosophy, an M.A. in the Study of Religion, and a Ph.D. in New Testament and Christian Origins. He has taught classes in New Testament for Fuller Theological Seminary and San Francisco Theological Seminary. Mark has written several books, including No Holds Barred: Wrestling with God in Prayer (WaterBrook, 2005), Dare to Be True (WaterBrook, 2003), Jesus Revealed (WaterBrook, 2002), After \"I Believe\" (Baker, 2002), and Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther (Word, 1993). His most recent book is Can We Trust the Gospels? Investigating the Reliability of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John (Crossway, 2007). He is currently working on a commentary on Ephesians that will be published by Zondervan in 2014. Mark writes a devotional for The High Calling of Our Daily Work, a website associated with Laity Lodge. His \"Daily Reflections\" can be viewed online or sent as a daily email. If you wish to receive this email, just visit TheHighCalling.org and sign up. Mark serves on the editorial board of Worship Leader magazine, where he publishes articles and reviews, including his regular column \"Lyrical Poetry.\" Additionally, he has published dozens of articles in leading magazines and journals. He often speaks for churches and other Christian groups, and has been interviewed on over seventy-five radio programs nationwide. Mark is married to Linda, who is a Marriage and Family Therapist, a Spiritual Director, and a retreat speaker. They have two children, Nathan and Kara.For Publicity Photos and Bio Statements for Mark, please check here. Mark's Dossier Professional History: Senior Director and Scholar-in Residence, Laity Lodge, October 2007 to present. Senior Pastor Irvine Presbyterian Church, June 1991 to September 2007 Adjunct Assistant Professor Fuller Theological Seminary, 1994 to 2007. Courses: New Testament Theology and Exegesis. Adjunct Instructor San Francisco Theological Seminary, 1995 to 2001. Courses: New Testament Greek and Exegesis Associate Pastor of Education First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood, 1987-1991 Teaching Fellow Harvard University, 1980-1983 Education: Ph.D. in the Study of Religion. Harvard University, 1992. Area: New Testament and Christian Origins M.A. in the Study of Religion Harvard University, 1984. A.B. magna cum laude in Philosophy Harvard University, 1979. Phi Beta Kappa; Danforth Fellowship Books: Can We Trust the Gospels? Investigating the Reliability of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Crossway, 2007 No Holds Barred: Wrestling with God in Prayer. WaterBrook, 2005 Dare to Be True: Living in the Freedom of Complete Honesty. WaterBrook, 2003. Jesus Revealed: Know Him Better to Love Him Better. WaterBrook, 2002. After \"I Believe\": Experiencing Authentic Christian Living. Baker, 2002. Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther in the Communicator's Commentary Series. Word, 1993. Contacting Mark: You can reach Mark at: E-mail: mark@markdroberts.com mroberts@laitylodge.org Phone: Laity Lodge: (830) 792-1216 Address: Laity Lodge 719 Earl Garrett Kerrville, TX 78028","url":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/author\/mroberts"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/650","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/214"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=650"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/650\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=650"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=650"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=650"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}