4th October 2025

Praying in The Name of Jesus

“And whatever you ask in My name,

that I will do . . .”

John 14:13

Today's Bible Reading: John14:12-14.

I became a Christian when I was 18 years old. From the very beginning of my walk with the Lord, I was taught to end my prayers with the phrase, “In the name of Jesus,” or something similar. At the time, I may not have fully understood the meaning, but I believed it was right—and I still do. Jesus Himself taught us to pray this way.

That’s why it saddens me today to hear so many believers simply conclude their prayers with “Amen,” leaving out the name of Jesus altogether. While it’s not about legalism or empty repetition, it’s important to understand what it truly means to pray in His name—and why it matters. In John 14:13–14, Jesus promises: “And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.”

Unfortunately, some misunderstand this to mean that if we just tag the phrase “in Jesus’ name” at the end of our prayers, we will get whatever we ask for—as though it’s a kind of spiritual magic formula. That is not only unbiblical; it’s dangerously misleading. Praying in Jesus’ name is not about using specific words—it’s about coming to God based on who Jesus is and what He has done. It means praying with His authority, in alignment with His will, and for His glory. As 1 John 5:14–15 reminds us: “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us...”

To pray in Jesus’ name is to bring our requests to God in submission to His will, trusting in Christ’s righteousness, not our own. It’s an acknowledgment that we are coming not in our merit, but in the merit of the One who died for us, rose again, and now intercedes on our behalf.

We must never forget that it is only through Jesus that we have access to the Father. He is our Mediator, our Advocate, and our Great High Priest. When we pray, we are entering the very presence of God—not because we are worthy, but because Jesus has made a way. Hebrews 4:16 invites us: “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” That confidence comes through Christ—and Christ alone.

So, if it’s not already your practice, I urge you to make it a habit to end your prayers with “In the name of Jesus. Amen.” But even more importantly, understand what those words mean. Let them not be a ritual, but a declaration of your dependence on Christ, your alignment with His will, and your desire to see God glorified in your life.

When we pray in Jesus’ name, we are not just saying words—we are standing in the authority of the risen Lord, trusting that He hears us, and believing that He will answer according to His perfect will.

Prayer: Creator God, help me to know You better. In Jesus name. Amen.

3rd October 2025

Realising Our Need

“Indeed, now I know that there is no God

in all the earth, except in Israel . . .”    

2 Kings 5:15

Today's Bible Reading: 2 Kings 5:1-15.

If money, possessions, and power could bring fulfilment, the wealthy and powerful people would seldom experience life crumbling. All people—rich or poor—have something in common; we’ve violated God’s laws. The resulting alienation leaves us empty and unfulfilled until we find true contentment.

The Bible tells us about a man who served as a great general in the Syrian army. His name was Naaman, and he had become successful and had everything to live for. But he was struck with leprosy, a condition that brought physical disfigurement, social rejection, mental depression, and death.

Naaman is a picture of all of us. His leprosy is a picture of sin in our lives—a fatal condition that overshadows all successes and accomplishments. That shadow of death hangs over every one of us. Just as leprosy separated people from society, the Bible teaches that sin separates us from God.

The Bible says that all of us have sinned (see Romans 3:10). We have a disease that is constantly eating away at us and has destroyed our relationship with God. That is the reason we cannot find fulfilment in life. That is the reason we cannot find peace and joy and happiness in life. We search for it, but because of sin, we do not find ultimate joy.

What did Naaman do? He realised his need and his helplessness and turned to God. What seemed ridiculous to him, he did by faith (see 2 Kings 5). Look to the Lord and be saved (see Isaiah 45:22).

Prayer: Father God, I thank you that Your amazing unfathomable love has been poured out for me at the cross and poured into me by the Holy Spirit. In Christ's name. Amen.

2nd October 2025

Be Still Before God

Be still, and know that I am God.    

Psalm 46

Today's Bible Reading: Psalm 46.

The first photograph of a living person was taken by Louis Daguerre in 1838. The photo depicts a figure on an otherwise empty avenue in Paris in the middle of an afternoon. But there’s an apparent mystery about it; the street and pavements should have been bustling with the traffic of carriages and pedestrians at that time of day, yet none can be seen.

The man was not alone. People and horses were there on the busy Boulevard du Temple, the popular area where the photo was taken. They just did not show up in the picture. The exposure time to process the photograph (known as a Daguerreotype) took seven minutes to capture an image, which had to be motionless during that time. It appears that the man on the pavement was the only person photographed because he was the only one standing still. By-the-way, the man was having his boots shined.

Sometimes, stillness accomplishes what motion and effort cannot. God tells His people in Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God.” Even when nations are “enraged” (v 6) and “the earth” shaken (v 2), those who quietly trust in Him will discover in Him “a very present help in times of trouble” (v 1).

When we rest in God instead of relying on our limited efforts, we discover Him to be our unassailable “refuge and strength” (v 1).

Prayer: Heavenly Father, please help me to trust in You and to rest in the quiet awareness of Your unfailing love. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.