Opening Prayer
Lord Jesus, teach us to pray in Your name. Amen.
Text: John 16:23–28
“And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. These things I have spoken to you in figurative language; but the time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language, but I will tell you plainly about the Father. In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you; for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God. I came forth from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world and go to the Father.”
Devotion
To pray in Jesus’ name is to pray in His service, or, what is the same thing, in His stead, together with Him, for His cause, and based on His Word and merit. When I send my hired man to a neighbor to get something he has promised me, then the hired man asks for it in my name. He must be in my service, bring my word with him, and can only ask for that which I have told him. But when the neighbor recognizes my words and wants to give me the thing, then the servant’s worthiness or unworthiness means nothing. If he can use the right words from me and knows that the neighbor will give me the thing, then he doesn’t doubt that he will get it even if the neighbor does not like him. Dear Christian, by Baptism you are adopted into Christ’s kingdom and believe in Him. You are in His household, in His service, completely His own, and likewise the Father’s child whom He loves and is fond of. Jesus said you should go to the Father on His business. “This is how you shall pray for Me, He says: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come,’ etc. Tell the Father that I have said it, and that you come to get it at My word, for the matter is Mine.” If only you really understood this and believed it! All that Jesus has said that we should pray for, just like all that is in the Lord’s Prayer, and all that He teaches us as necessary for salvation, that we can ask for in His name – but not what we happen to wish for or want. Pray in simple faith, and present Jesus’ words to the Father. Think with the certainty of receiving it for His sake. Look away from your own unworthiness, – though, as a matter of fact, the Father is fond of you for Jesus’ sake. Stay at the throne of grace until you are heard, in any case until your faith receives the needed assurance. See, when you pray in Jesus’ name, you also shall receive it, and your joy shall be full. For His word and oath: “Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you,” this word and promise of His is a more secure bank draft with the Father than genuine dollar bills at the bank. Of course, when you have the currency, you have what it is worth, but it is even more sure that you have what Jesus says: that you may ask of the Father. Everything necessary for salvation and the advancement of God’s kingdom, as well as daily bread and the necessities of life are given you in Jesus’ name. Ask – and you shall receive!
Closing Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus, thanks and praise eternally with the Father and the Holy Spirit for the greatest and most precious promises! We pray You, heavenly Father, give us grace to believe and to pray in faith, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
Hymn
Blest those who trust in Jesus’ grace
And rush the Father to embrace!
For He receives by grace so kind
All those whom Jesus’ love did find.
As children to their father dear
Gladly for precious gifts draw near,
They cry in hunger and in pain
Until they bread and comfort gain.
Entrust yourself to God’s good care;
He is your Helper true and fair;
But those who still would walk in sin;
Their prayers to God are noisome din.
All those who God’s true grace receive
And in whose hearts does Jesus live
Can pray with faith in Jesus’ name
And blessed promised fruit reclaim.
Laurenti: Vel den, der ved i Jesu Navn L 404:1-4 tr. DeGarmeaux;
tune: Komm, Gott Schöpfer (ELH 10); alternate hymn: Lord, teach us how to pray aright ELH 382:1-3