Who Is the God in Whose Name You Pray

“And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.” I Timothy 3: 16

Who was Jesus? Skeptics try to prove He was a good teacher and nothing more. Cynics declare He was a misguided fringe character, the son of Mary by a Roman soldier. He was none of these. I Timothy 3: 16 is a passage worth memorizing and keeping in mind in defining Him. Note:

“And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness:

“God was manifested in the flesh.” When was God manifest in the flesh?

“Justified in the Spirit.” When was God justified in the Spirit?

“Seen by angels.” When was God seen of angels?

“Preached among the Gentiles.” When was God preached among the Gentiles?

“Believed on in the world.” When was God believed on in the world?

“Received up in glory.” When was God received up in glory?

These are characteristics of Jesus. The character described by each question is found only in Jesus. Who then was Jesus — God, manifest in flesh and blood.

If all of this is true, and it is, when He spoke it was God speaking. What He said is trustworthy.

He gave us a free pass into the throne room of heaven when He said. 

“And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.” John 14: 13, 14)

You can express all night long what you call prayer and end it “in Jesus name,” and it will not get an affirmative answer if it relates to something that does not glorify God. Merely saying the words “in Jesus name” is not a magic incantation requiring Him giving what is requested. To pray in Jesus name is to pray for what Jesus would pray for if He were in your place and condition. In effect it means to pray as Jesus’ proxy.

When you pray be mindful of who it is you are addressing. Be more concerned about who it is you are praying to than about what you are praying. As an exercise in praying with this mindset pray the model prayer being mindful of who you are addressing — God.

“Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread. 
And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.”