“…I am the truth…”  (John 14)

 

“In Jesus Name i pray” these are words that the great majority of Christ-ians use universally to end their prayer. Some believe if those words are not said, their prayer will notbe heard or answered. This is a kin to not telling someone your birthday wish for fear of it not coming to fruition. I’m not kidding.

I know there are persons reading this that could not not say it when ending their prayer.

This can also greatly offend some persons. If you do not say those magical words you anger and trouble some persons….don’t believe me? try it. A Christ-ian can lose credibility with some if the end not their prayer with these words.

“In Jesus’ Name,” what do these words actually mean?  Do you know? These words equal “In the Authority of Christ…” or “By the Authority of Christ…” And even “I stand before you in the stead of Christ.” And “For all intents and purposes I am Christ.”

One does not need to say those words to be heard. The very fact that you are praying and God is inclining His Hearing Ear to your prayers demonstrates you are praying in Christ’s Name. Praying in Christ’s Name is a right and a priviledge that only believers have. We need notsay the words as God already sees us in Christ and therefore as christ…small c.

A possible draw back or an erronious inference drawn from using those blessed words at the end of a prayer. The erronious inference is stated in our last sentence. The end of a prayer.

Reader, Prayer should not ever end. “Pray without ceasing” is a precept from Paul. Another precept, “Be instant in prayer.” Paul teaches further, “Men should pray everywhere, holding up holy hands unto God.” And did not the Master Himself say, “Men ought always to pray.”

How does one (1) then pray unceasingly, instantly, everywhere, and always? The close reader might find a contradiction in the last sentence…..do you see it?………………………. Why would someone need to be instant in prayer if he is praying ceaselessly? Hmmmm. Have we found acontradiction in Scripture that Christ’s enemies speak of so often?…………methinks, not a chance…Lance……..I don’t think so Tim…No way, Faye.

Let us put all of this together. Prayer is not meant to be a 911 call. Prayer is not meant to be a list. Prayer is meant to be a communion or a communing of child and Father, little brother and Big Brother, friend and  Friend.

Prayer should never end. Prayer should always be left open. Amen does not mean the end. Amen means agreed as in a negotiation. Have you ever negotiated with God? Moses did, David did, The good Ananias did in a way. The owner of the mule negotiated with Lord Jesus.

What Christ was and is currently to His Apostles….the Holy Spirit is meant to be to you and me. Christ ate, drank, camped with, went to arties with, preached with, spoke with, traveled with, performed exploits with, faced dangers with (humanly speaking), laughed with, cried with….enjoyed and lived life with. This is how we are to engage the Holy Spirit of Christ.

Just as we are to be witnesses and not witness, So, too, should we be prayer. David in the Psalms called himself prayer….so should we.

Our thoughts should be Godward, tell Him, Lord, Please accept my thoughts as prayers, please accept my actions as prayer, please help me do all things with You in and on my mind. Possess me as legion possessed the man at the Gadarenes. Lord, let me commune with you at all times.

Before you do this count the cost as Christ says. If you enter into this commune with Him, life will never be the same again and it will not be all smooth sailing. But ye will never be of little faith again. The peace and stillness is ….no words, the peace and stillness is period.