HOW IMPORTANT IS IT TO PRAY IN THE NAME OF JESUS? John 16:23 23 In that day you will not [need to] ask Me about anything. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name [as My representative], He will give you. (Amplified) I know that we all have read that verse at one time or another. I can also believe that it is possible that you have prayed for something and at the end of your prayer added “In Jesus Name” but didn’t seem to get the prayer answered. And of course those who are truly faithful and trusting in the Lord will automatically surmise that it was something that the Lord did not want to answer or maybe that the thing you were praying for “Wasn’t God’s will” to answer. After years of being indoctrinated to the “In Jesus Name” Prayer for many people it has become somewhat of a ritualistic phrase. A memorized suffix to the ending of a prayer. Could there actually be more to “In the Name of Jesus” than we are aware of? Well let’s take a deeper look at that verse, and just maybe we will receive a new perspective, one that will change our entire outlook on praying in the name of Jesus to get our desired results. The word Jesus used for name in the above verse was the Greek word “onoma” which means authority, character, power the word Onoma is a derivative of the Greek word “ginosko” a prolonged form of a primary verb; to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed):--allow, be aware (of), feel, (have) know(-ledge), perceived, be resolved, can speak, be sure, understand. So now we see that when we pray in Jesus’ name we are actually saying to the Father “in the Authority, power and character of Jesus.” It also is saying that “Jesus knows me so allow it to be so.” Another scripture reminds us that: 14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. 1 John 5:14-15 (KJV). Now to pray according to His will is to pray according to His word!! John 1:1, 14 tells us that Jesus is the Word so if we pray in the name (Onoma) of Jesus then we are praying according to His will. This should now give us a better understanding of why it’s important to pray in the name of Jesus. For a Deeper study on praying for results come join us at Tabernacle of Praise Worship Center 1121 East Chickasaw McAlester Oklahoma 74501