Have you ever stopped to think about the real power behind a name? Names aren't just labels; they carry history, reputation, and sometimes, doors swing wide open because of them. Let me share a personal story that got me reflecting on this, and how it ties into what Jesus teaches us about prayer. 

A Name That Opened a Door

About two years ago, I started a project in Red Deer, helping a company at the airport to fix their network problems. I knew exactly what needed to be done, but first, I had to convince the owner to let me take on the job. When I called and introduced myself, I added, “Alan, my dad, suggested I give you a call.” Suddenly, the conversation shifted. My dad’s name carried real weight with the owner, enough to give me a chance. Because of that connection, I was trusted and able to do the work that was needed.

That experience reminded me how important a name can be. It also got me thinking about what Jesus teaches in His Word about prayer. If it stirred something in me, I bet it’s stirring in you too, because as believers, we’ve all had moments where a name changes everything.

Power in the Name: Or Just Tradition?

As Pentecostals, we love to declare that there is power in the name of Jesus. It’s why we shout it, sing it, and stand on it in our toughest moments! But let’s be honest: We’ve all tacked on those words at the end of our prayers like a ritual, “In Jesus’ name, amen.” And then, nothing changes. The prayer feels flat, the breakthrough doesn’t come, and we wonder if we’re just going through the motions.

Have you ever stopped mid-prayer and asked yourself: Is this just a tradition we’ve inherited from our parents or grandparents? A polite sign-off, like ending an email with “blessings” (if you’ve ever gotten an email from me, you’ve seen that)?

Why do we say it? Does it unlock real power, or is it empty words that leave our prayers powerless and our hearts unchanged?

Folks, I’ve wrestled with this, and it’s kept me up at night, because if we’re not careful, we’re invoking the most powerful name in the universe without tapping into His true authority. We’re standing at the door of miracles, but we’re not turning the key.

The Deeper Truth

I believe the answer is so much deeper than we often realize. Let’s turn to John 14 and let Jesus Himself show us the real power in His name.

John 14:13–14 (ESV)
Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.

Invitation to Relationship: “Ask Anything”

As we read in our main passage today, God deeply wants a real relationship with us. God does not simply want us to ask Him requests all day long. In fact, when one looks at the Greek used in this passage, there is such a rich meaning.

The word αἰτήσητε (aorist subjunctive) means “you all should ask” or “if you ever ask.” Why this is so important is that Jesus is emphasizing the action of asking. It’s not about the process, how you ask, how long, how many times, how many words, or what the words are. Simply put, it’s the action of asking. At its core, it’s an invitation, and it’s for all people, not just the 12 disciples, but everyone who reads the passage to take action and ask in a single request.

The other part of the Greek is ἐάν (“if”), which introduces a condition. This is the invitation that Jesus is giving us. This little Greek phrase tells us that God is giving us a conditional element: If you ask anything. God will not give you anything if you do not ask Him, and the best part is that you do not need to hold back. Bring everything to God in prayer.

Asking anything of Jesus is foundational to a healthy prayer life. The richness of this passage shows us that God wants every simple little detail of your life to be a two-way conversation with Him. All your pain, all your struggles, all your anxiety, all your joy! Bring that to God in prayer.

(Let me share a quick example: When my wife Amanda comes in from work, she spends the first 30 minutes to an hour telling me all the little details of her day. That’s the kind of intimacy God wants with us.)

Unfortunately, many Christians today have not been taught how to properly pray like that. Sometimes we fall into “crisis prayer,” only turning to God when we’re in the middle of a fire or a hard situation. Other times, we feel our simple little prayers are too small to bug God.

Let me tell you a story from just two weeks ago. I lost my right earbud. I prayed to God that I would find it, and on Tuesday this week, I went to the store asking if anyone had found it. They had, and I got it back. I had been praying all those two weeks, asking God to help me find it. Just as I got to the store, I asked God again: “Lord, help me find my earbud.”

And you know what? That might seem silly and small, but if we take into account the story found in 2 Kings, we see God cares about our everyday problems, even the small ones.

The Setting: The company of prophets (students and disciples of Elisha) noticed their meeting place was too small.
The Request: They suggested to Elisha, “Let us go to the Jordan and each get a log to build a bigger place to meet.” Elisha agreed and gave them permission.
The Journey: One of the prophets asked Elisha to come with them. Elisha agreed and went with them to the Jordan River.
The Accident: While cutting down trees, one man’s iron axe head fell into the river. He cried out, “Oh no, my lord! It was borrowed!”
The Miracle:

2 Kings 6:6–7 (ESV)
Then the man of God said, “Where did it fall?” When he showed him the place, he cut off a stick and threw it in there and made the iron float. And he said, “Take it up.” So he reached out his hand and took it.

You see, the invitation to ask anything in the name of Jesus is not about getting exactly what we want. It’s about the relationship that God wants with us. It’s the invitation to communicate with God on all things in all ways. He cares about the lost earbud, He cares about the lost axe head. He cares because He wants us to walk with Him in all things and all ways.

Now, Jesus does say to ask anything, and yet there is a filter that it will go through.

The Filter: “In My Name”

Just like the story where saying my dad’s name opened a door that allowed me to network a building, when we use the name of Jesus, we act as His representative, using His authority, reflecting His character, and doing so according to the will of Jesus.

John 14:13–14 (ESV)
Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.

I spent a lot of time reflecting on how simple yet profound this phrase is. Again, because many Christians might not know how to pray, we often may treat this passage or our prayers like magic words. It would be like saying in a prayer meeting, “In Jesus’ name,” and expecting Jesus to do it automatically.

Well, the Bible has a story of what happens when people use the name of Jesus without having a relationship with Him:

The Setting: God was doing extraordinary miracles through Paul in Ephesus. Even handkerchiefs and aprons that touched Paul were healing the sick and casting out evil spirits.
The Attempted Imitation: Some traveling Jewish exorcists tried to use the name of Jesus to cast out demons.

Acts 19:13 (ESV)
saying, “I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.”

Acts 19:15 (ESV)
But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?”

The Defeat: The man with the evil spirit jumped on the seven brothers. He overpowered them all and beat them so badly that they ran out of the house naked and wounded.
The Aftermath: This event became widely known in Ephesus among Jews and Greeks. Fear seized everyone, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor.
The Results: Many who believed openly confessed their evil deeds. Those who practiced sorcery brought their scrolls and burned them publicly. The value of the scrolls was fifty thousand drachmas (a huge sum). The word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.

You see, the authority of Jesus cannot be borrowed or used without a real relationship. True power comes from knowing Christ, not just knowing about Him. So, what we should be doing in our time with God is asking a few questions as we grow in our prayer time:

Am I representing Jesus well?

Is my request consistent with His character? Does it show love, humility, forgiveness, truth, and compassion?

Am I asking for what Jesus wants? Does this request help others know God, grow in faith, or see God’s kingdom grow?

Am I praying as a child of God? Am I praying as someone who belongs to Jesus, trusting Him as my Lord and Friend?

Am I coming with faith, honesty, and reverence, not just empty words or routine?

When you pray as His representative, with His authority, and for His will, you can pray with boldness and confidence.

The Promise & Purpose

God delights to answer prayers that honor the name of His Son.

John 14:13–14 (ESV)
Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.

When we pray always and build a deep relationship with God through prayer, our prayers and our own will start to line up with God’s perfect will for us and this world. They get filtered through the name of Jesus. God will honor these prayer requests, and Jesus said that He will do it!

Daniel is known for always praying, keeping his relationship with God strong. Even when it became illegal, he continued. His prayers were not about show or selfish gain, but about his devotion and trust in God.

A law was passed that no one could pray to anyone except the king for 30 days. Daniel’s enemies hoped to trap him. Daniel could have hidden or stopped praying, but he chose to honor God above all else. Daniel prayed “as he had done previously” (v.10), facing Jerusalem. His prayers were for God’s people, God’s purposes, and God’s honor. He was thrown into the lions’ den not for defiance, but for faithful, God-honoring prayer. God shut the mouths of the lions. Daniel was lifted out, unharmed, a miracle only God could do.

Daniel 6:26–27 (ESV)
I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, for he is the living God, enduring forever; his kingdom shall never be destroyed, and his dominion shall be to the end. He delivers and rescues; he works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, he who has saved Daniel from the power of the lions.

True prayer changes the world and brings glory to God, not just answers for us.

Closing Thoughts

Church, here’s what I believe Jesus is saying to us today: Every one of you is invited into a real prayer walk with God. Nothing is too big, nothing is too small. Ask anything; He wants to hear from you. And remember, when you pray “in Jesus’ name,” you are praying with His authority, as His ambassador, for His purposes. God delights to answer those prayers, so that His glory will be seen in your life, in our church, and in this area.

Recently in my prayer time, God showed me what He wants to see for RPA: Every marriage, every family, every person here soaked in prayer. Every family and every person bringing even the little things to God in prayer. Our prayer room full, not because of a program, but because we believe God answers. People from all over, from St. Claude to Miami to Notre Dame to as far as Winnipeg, coming here not just because of good old-fashioned Bible preaching, not because the name on the building says Pentecostal, but because we walk and talk with Jesus every single day, and the power of God is known and seen among us.

Maybe today you need to start that walk with Jesus for the first time. Maybe you need to bring something to God you’ve been holding back. Maybe you need a fresh boldness to pray in Jesus’ name, believing He will answer.

If you want more of God, if you want to commit yourself, your family, your marriage, your future, your needs to Him in prayer, would you come to Him now? 

Let’s fill our hearts and homes with prayer. 

Let’s ask God to make us a people known not just for what we believe, but for how we pray and for how He answers.

email: pastor@rpamb.ca if you want to learn more about prayer or someone to pray with.