THE BEAUTIFUL NAME OF JESUS

Today, I am excited to share with you about the most wonderful name recorded in human history, the name of Jesus. I am excited that you are joining me in this worthwhile journey of exploring what it means to pray to God in the name of Jesus. But before then, the title of this article THE BEAUTIFUL NAME OF JESUS happens to be the name of one of the books of E.W. Kenyon. Although this article is not directly lifted from the book, I would like to recommend (just as my mentor recommended to me) E.W. Kenyon’s books to everyone reading this. Reading E.W. Kenyon’s (The Beautiful Name of Jesus and all of his other books) will definitely give anyone reading great insights into a lot of bible truths, especially from the viewpoint of grace.

Prayers, have always been offered to God since the existence of humanity. Man has always prayed to God. In the Old-Testament, scriptures record powerful things achieved through prayers that even if they were to happen again today, we will definitely still acknowledge them to happen only through God’s mighty acts. One example was Elijah’s prayers, see what James says

Elijah was a man with a nature like ours [with the same physical, mental and spiritual limitations and shortcomings], and he prayed intensely for it not to rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. Then he prayed again, and the sky gave rain and the land produced its crops [as usual]. (James 5:17 -18 AMP)

Of course, it’s obvious that the above was a direct act of God’s sovereign power. See here Abraham also

So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare children. (Gen. 20:17 KJV)

And Hezekiah here;

Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying, Thus says the Lord God of Israel, That which thou hast prayed to me against Sennacherib king of Assyria I have heard. (2 kings 19:20)

And Job also;

And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. (Job 42:10)

And of course there are many more examples that space won’t allow me to share here. What thrills me most when I see all these awesome acts of God under the old covenant is 2 Corinthians 3, comparing the old covenant to the new, says this

“For if the ministry that brings condemnation [the old covenant, the Law] has glory, how much more does glory overflow in the ministry that brings righteousness [the new covenant which declares believers free of guilt and sets them apart for God’s special purpose]!” (2 Corinthians 3: 9 AMP)

I am always intrigued by this verse of scripture. Looking at all the wonderful feats achieved through prayer under the old covenant, the scriptures still say what prayers would achieve in the new is far greater than what it did in the old. What we can and will do through prayers being believers is far more than what Elijah, Abraham, Hezekiah etc. achieved through prayer in their days. Why? The beautiful name of Jesus. And Jesus gave the key here:

“Until now you have not asked [the father] for anything in my name; but now ask and keep on asking and you will receive, so that your joy may be full and complete” (John 16:24 AMP)

The verse above gives one important distinction in prayers under the old covenant and the new covenant. He said before you have not been praying in my name, but now you will be praying in my name. Elisha, Abraham, Hezekiah did not pray in Jesus name, but now we can and that means a lot.

We are praying in the name of God’s most beloved son, in whom God is WELL pleased (Luke 3:22). When we pray in the name of Jesus, it is as though Jesus himself is making these prayers, and God ALWAYS hears Jesus.

“I knew that you always hear Me and listen to Me; but I have said this because of the people standing around, so that they may believe that You have sent Me [and that You have made Me Your representative].” (John 11:42)

Can you see why we as believers are promised more glorious things than Elijah, Hezekiah etc. under the new covenant? It is because we have better access. We are always welcome to the throne of God, to the most holy place through the name of Jesus. This is our confidence, when we pray in the name of Jesus, we know that if God won’t deny Jesus this request, He won’t deny us. We know He hears us always because He hears Jesus always. It’s not about what we do or don’t do, it’s about what Jesus did and it is called grace.

Let’s not make a religion out of this, praying in the name of Jesus is more than saying “In Jesus name” before or after our prayers, it’s a consciousness and an understanding of it. It’s more about a knowledge of it and not just declaring mere words religiously. The words “In Jesus name” are not just meant to open up or close our prayers they are declarations made out of an understanding of the name through which we have access to God’s throne day and night.

We see already the use of this name in the book of Acts and in the epistles. First, Peter

“Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. (Acts 3:6)

Peter said above “I have the name of Jesus”. This was not a mere recitation or just religious words. It came out of an understanding of the fact that he knew he had access to God’s power in the name of Jesus. That’s how it should be when we say “in the name of Jesus” in our prayers. Do you also know you have this beautiful name of Jesus as a believer? It was given to you when you believed.

And where the name is mentioned, power follows.

“In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, and my spirit with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, (1 Corinthians 5:4)

I would like to conclude by quoting one awesome verse of scripture about the beautiful name of Jesus and the power rooted therein, that has been given to you, me and all believers alike (just as Peter in Acts 3:6)  and Christ even gave us authority to use this name, isn’t that amazing?

For this reason also [because He obeyed and so completely humbled Himself], God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow [in submission], of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth. (Philippians 2: 9 – 10 AMP).

I Call You Blessed

Samson Afolabi