To pray in Jesus' name is not to tag the expression "In Jesus' name we pray. Amen" at the end of our prayers. You will search the entire New Testament in vain finding this expression in the writings of the apostles in the prayers they wrote in the Bible.
As an example, Paul wrote down some of his prayers in the book of Colossians and Ephesians for them to read. He did not end his prayer with "In Jesus name I pray. Amen." Read the prayers uttered in the book of Acts. No one said "In Jesus name we pray. Amen."
If tagging the expression "In Jesus' name we pray. Amen" is what John 14:13-14 means, then none of the apostles obeyed what the Lord Jesus taught in these verses. For no one prayed a prayer in the Bible who ended their prayers with that formula and expression.
If tagging the expression "In Jesus' name we pray. Amen" is what John 14:13-14 means, then none of the apostles obeyed what the Lord Jesus taught in these verses. For no one prayed a prayer in the Bible who ended their prayers with that formula and expression.
Actually, to pray in the name of Jesus is a heart attitude, not an expression tagged at the end of prayers. To pray in Jesus' name a) is to pray in His authority. He commanded me to pray. So I pray.
b) It is to pray in His merit. I dare not approach God as a sinner on my own, but in the name and worthiness and merit of my Representative, Substitute, Savior and Lord, I can boldly approach God and ask things from Him.
c) It is to pray for His interests. I will only pray things that will glorify Him.
c) It is to pray for His interests. I will only pray things that will glorify Him.
