DAY 5: The Name of Jesus Is Not a Magic Word

The name “Jesus” is not a magic word given to Christians as a means of bringing trivial or ungodly matters to fruition; nor is prayer a “secret” formula for life’s advantages and privileges. Christians are instructed to call on Jesus’ name for protection, comfort, and in order to serve others. Nowhere in the Bible does God ever say we must pray in the name of Jesus. It is no where to be found in the New Testament. “In this manner, therefore, pray: 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. Amen” Matthew 6:9–13 (NKJV).

Many Christians do often pray to God by saying “I ask this in the name of Jesus,” or “In Jesus precious name!” Those not too mature in their faith, and not well versed in the Bible might very well assume that adding the name of Jesus to a request supercharges the prayer, giving it extra special “vigor.” Some misguided preachers have gone so far as to imply that simply saying the name “Jesus” in a time of trouble or want and need will awaken special spiritual powers of abundant blessings and guarantee our prayers are answered affirmatively. Magicians and wizards in stories and on stage utter magic words, then marvelous things happen. “Open Sesame” will cause a door to open, or the hood of one’s car, or the stubborn lid of a jar. “Abracadabra” is a magician’s special word to say “let the magic take effect” such as causing a person to rise from the ground by some apparently invisible force. These words are powerless, however; such feats are an illusion, and the individuals wielding them deceive for the purposes of entertainment or exploitation.

The name “Jesus” is not a magic word given to Christians as a means of bringing trivial or ungodly matters to fruition. We do not call on his name in order to entertain or exploit. When we use His name in power and miracles happen, He is glorified, not us. Christians are instructed to call on Jesus’ name for protection, comfort, and in order to serve others. Yet we are to reach the Father through the Son. Jesus of course is our intercessor. He gave his life on the cross so that through Him we might be reunited with the Father and achieve salvation.

When we use the name of Jesus we are coming to the Father in the name of Jesus, on His authority, on the basis of knowing our Savior and accepting Him as our heavenly mediator.

Prayer is not a formula. It is a reverent and personal conversation with our Creator. There are no magic words, only a sincere desire to give thanks for our blessings, and ask God to guide us, leading us down the path He has chosen for us. Think of prayer as a conversation with God and know that there are no magic words, no repetitious chanting, no supernatural rituals, and no formulaic “secrets” to gaining favor. There is no sure method to guarantee a miracle every time we pray for someone, but we can also be sure that God will not honor the power within Jesus' name if it is not accompanied by faith that Jesus Christ is Lord. Again, the power of Jesus’ name is not the name itself as if it is a magical formula to produce certain results. Rather, the power of Jesus’ name is the Person of Jesus.

Praying in Jesus’ name means we are coming to God with the mantel of Jesus Christ around our shoulders, and that the prayers we utter are seeking things in our life consistent with the character of Jesus. Doing so we will never ask for anything that does not conform to the teachings of Christ and God’s specific plan for us. “You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you” John 15:14–16 NKJV. Praying in the Name of Jesus is not magic, but just miraculous. The name of Jesus is an enormous power and an even greater stewardship. Our capacity to steward this kind of power will never exceed our capacity to sublimate our self-interest to the interest of Jesus.