The words "in My name" refer to the new meaning which Christ had given to prayer. GOD IS IN CHRIST, AND GOD IS AN OPEN FOUNTAIN OF GOOD TO EVERY BEING IN FRIENDSHIP WITH HIM. Men ask for happiness: do they mean that they are afraid of sorrow — they cannot bear the Cross? Always. "I shall see if she loves me." They dishonour God, His Son, and His mercies, that ask anything but in the name of Christ.5. A Christian man who believes in prayer, ought to be able to speak to God anywhere. Persevere in prayer even when prayer is hard work, for the labour and agony connected with prayer are only temporal. The saints use the words, "through Jesus Christ our Lord" (1 Corinthians 15:57); but the virtue is not in the words, but in the faith wherewith they are used. For the gracious answer of prayer, and consider how we are to eye Christ as the object of this reliance — viz., as our great High Priest (Hebrews 4:15, 16). In seeking in prayer the mercies we need of God for Christ's sake accordingly (John 16:24). You know that every man in a high office receives a vast number of letters, many of them very foolish, and even wicked. (b)More particularly, praying in the name of Christ, and for His sake consists in renouncing all merit and worth in ourselves, in point of access, acceptance, and gracious answer (Genesis 32:10); believing that however great the mercies are, and however unworthy we are, yet we may obtain them from God through Jesus Christ (Hebrews 4:15, 16). We must go to God at Christ's command, and by order from Him (Matthew 18:20). In the former sense the word is employed in the first clause with distinct reference to the disciples' desire to ask Him a very foolish question a moment or two before; and in the second it is employed in the central portion of my text.I. (2) Wherein acting in prayer in the strength of Christ lies. And here we find the infinite merit of His sacrifice (Romans 3:25), and His never-failing intercession to rely on (Hebrews 7:25). Are thus sins forsaken? Instead of asking Christ he has to ask his own heart and conscience before Christ. I do not believe that God changes. "Wilt Thou be my Helper and Defender?" When we rose, I said to the poor woman, "Do not fret about the matter. Then there are prayers, so full of self that there is no room for Jesus in them. Thus there are times when to pray is the hardest of all tasks; when God appears to be far off. Only remember that such a method of teaching needs that we use that revelation and submit ourselves to the teaching of that Spirit, and make everything that we know a factor in shaping what we do and are. John Piper. The ascension of Christ has opened doors for thought, for faith, for hope which were fast closed, until He had burst them asunder and passed to His throne. Let him ask his own heart and conscience upon which road he has been travelling; where has the Lord found him when the fear of approaching death surprised him. A Christian man who believes in prayer, ought to be able to speak to God anywhere. Our Lord never worked a miracle unless the person asking for help showed faith. She went away, and I forgot all about it. (b)The soul's going to Christ for strength to duty by trusting on Him for it (Isaiah 26:4; Psalm 71:16).4. There was a little boy once whose mother lay ill in the hospital. Sinners can have no access to God without a Mediator, and there is no other Mediator but He (Isaiah 59:2; 1 Timothy 2:5).2. We must pray for Christ's sake, as the only procuring cause of the success of our prayers. Can we wonder that He does not answer them?I. To pray not with the notion of changing God's plan, but because that plan is the best. It is not consistent with the honour of God to give Sinners a favourable hearing otherwise (John 9:31, with 2 Corinthians 5:19, 21). My brothers, our prayers are often as badly put together as Eddie's scrawl, but the good God knows His children's meaning.II. )LinksJohn 16:23 NIVJohn 16:23 NLTJohn 16:23 ESVJohn 16:23 NASBJohn 16:23 KJVJohn 16:23 Bible AppsJohn 16:23 ParallelJohn 16:23 Biblia ParalelaJohn 16:23 Chinese BibleJohn 16:23 French BibleJohn 16:23 German BibleJohn 16:23 CommentariesBible Hub, III. We should not hear so much about bad servants, and dishonest traders, if men would only pray over their work. I do not believe that God changes. What is meant by asking in Christ's name? If a warrant, or other legal document is to take effect, it must be endorsed by the name of some one in authority, otherwise it is so much waste paper. But if he decline this search, then assuredly instead of having an answer from Christ, who is the Truth, he will have it from the father of lies.II. Because —1. If we believe that such prayer will be answered we are constantly met by the awful thought that God has ordered eternally all the circumstances of life for the best and wisest ends. He must consider them fit to be offered in His name., or they are useless. The word "whatsoever" must be taken simply and literally. L. Hull, B. A.I. Christ came into the world to reveal what God was and to explain His plan. He has been taught music, yet he plays without feeling, and incorrectly. The cause of it. If it is in harmony with the will of God, it is sure not to be offered in vain. And here we find the infinite merit of His sacrifice (Romans 3:25), and His never-failing intercession to rely on (Hebrews 7:25). The child fancied his mother would not have left him if she had loved him, and determined to send her a letter, and find out. What is meant by asking in Christ's name? J. W. Does it not point to that great and blessed truth, "Whatsoever thing the Father doeth that also doeth the Son likewise."2. THE NATURE OF CHRISTIAN PRAYER. He has been answered already. This implies —(1) A high esteem of Christ (1 Peter 2:7), for God is honoured in His Son (John 5:23). In the highest sense a man can only receive what he feels he needs.(E. WHEN TO PRAY —1. This second great promise substantially appeared in a former part of these discourses with a very significant difference. THE DIFFICULTIES WHICH ALL PRAYER SUGGESTS.1. (2)The soul's beholding of Christ (ver. (1) It brings us into harmony with God's eternal plan. And at other times it is so weak and dead that we doubt whether it has not altogether vanished to return no more. The superiority of the Christian age to all that have preceded.2. Without the cheque thou wouldest receive nothing, for the father of the heir knows nothing of thy name; but because he sees written there the name of his son he presents thee with the whole amount which his son has commissioned thee to receive. They dishonour God, His Son, and His mercies, that ask anything but in the name of Christ.5. You know that every man in a high office receives a vast number of letters, many of them very foolish, and even wicked. He read it, the truth went to his heart. On the part of the Father. (b)The mercy of God considered without a view to the satisfaction of His justice by the Mediator. The graft must knit with the stock ere it can partake of the sap. Hence we see at once that many prayers are not Christian. At the bottom His holy name stands written; the upper part we ourselves must fill up with our prayers; the Father will honour the draft to the whole amount for the sake of His dear Son; because whatever we are minded to ask in the name of Jesus, the Father will give us.(R. Because —1. (a)Their own worth in respect of their qualifications and good things done by them (Luke 18:11, 12). Prayer in Christ's name clears away the two great difficulties to which I have referred. What is meant by asking in Christ's name? Christian prayer is the submissive effort to make my wish what God wills.3. Instead of asking Christ he has to ask his own heart and conscience before Christ. (2) It prepares us to receive God's noblest gifts of love. For instance, men ask for success: do they mean they cannot forego their desires — that they cannot confront failure? (b)The soul's going to Christ for strength to duty by trusting on Him for it (Isaiah 26:4; Psalm 71:16).4. But often, like foolish children, we ask him for a stone, or a scorpion. We must lighten our prayers by casting out self if they are to rise to the throne of God. Hence we see at once that many prayers are not Christian. Is he really seeking eternal life, striving with all his strength to enter in? The words "in My name" must be taken as simply and literally; for they explain the "whatsoever.". If a warrant, or other legal document is to take effect, it must be endorsed by the name of some one in authority, otherwise it is so much waste paper. Can we wonder that He does not answer them?I. So our prayers must be endorsed, so to speak, with the name of Jesus. When Jehoshaphat was besieged by his enemies, he prayed solemnly to God for guidance. And the Master bends lovingly over such a soul, and says: "What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? (1) In this way of praying ye may obtain anything ye really need. (a)Their own worth in respect of their qualifications and good things done by them (Luke 18:11, 12). Because God knew their wants, men were to ask. She told me her story, and a sad one it was. If you want to spoil your child you say, "What do you want, my dear? You have made a sort of calculation of what God should give you in the shape of temporal good. Men were not to pray because they hoped to change God's plan, but because God's plan was the wisest and most loving. If we ask our Heavenly Father for bread, He will not give us a stone. Only the prayer of praise, adoration, and thanksgiving shall remain, and that shall remain for all eternity. He has been taught music, yet he plays without feeling, and incorrectly. He showed that God was willing all good to His creatures, and overcoming all evil — that the eternal love was shining behind all the clouds of suffering and sorrow. WHY ACCEPTABLE PRAYER MUST BE IN THE NAME OF CHRIST. (2) On every occasion when we have to make an important choice, let us pray about it, even as Jesus prayed before He chose His disciples, and the apostles before the election of Matthias. He has been taught music, yet he plays without feeling, and incorrectly. We shall perceive how both the difficulties we have noticed vanish before the true meaning of Christ's promise. With us too often it is just the other way: "My will bedone." The death of Christ has told us things that Christ before His death could not tell. Then there is at once a plain answer.2. To them the thought was despair rather than advance; but in Christ's eyes it was progress. And here we find the infinite merit of His sacrifice (Romans 3:25), and His never-failing intercession to rely on (Hebrews 7:25). Let the people who lose their temper so easily, and say words which they bitterly repent, pray more frequently, and the bitter words would be turned into blessing. One cause of these is to be found in the variations of our inner life, Our faith in the spiritual is at some moments so full of power that thoughts too large for words ascend to the Eternal in unclothed aspirations. The sermon begins at the 13:49 point of the mp3 file. (c)The manner of their performing the duty itself (Isaiah 58:3). He has no doubts; the words of his Master are yea and amen, and he has heard them. At the bottom His holy name stands written; the upper part we ourselves must fill up with our prayers; the Father will honour the draft to the whole amount for the sake of His dear Son; because whatever we are minded to ask in the name of Jesus, the Father will give us.(R. L. Hull, B. Her husband had fled the country; in her sorrow she went to the house of God, and something I said in the sermon made her think I was personally familiar with her case. Men ask for happiness: do they mean that they are afraid of sorrow — they cannot bear the Cross? As the soul in a separate state cloth not quicken the body, so the soul not united to Christ cannot be fitted for duty by strength derived from Him. This implies —(1) A high esteem of Christ (1 Peter 2:7), for God is honoured in His Son (John 5:23). It is the cry of infancy. The concern of the disciples is how long Jesus' absence is going to last. (1) It brings us into harmony with God's eternal plan. H. Spurgeon.Some years ago, a poor woman accompanied by two of her neighbours, came to my vestry in deep distress. Be it unto thee even as thou wilt."III. That woman does not doubt the power of prayer.(C. We shall perceive how both the difficulties we have noticed vanish before the true meaning of Christ's promise. time, or rising-time; these are special occasions, the general time for prayer is all day long. (a)That sinners in themselves are quite unacceptable in heaven, even in their religious duties (Proverbs 15:8; Isaiah 64:6). In religion the same thing often occurs. In the highest sense a man can only receive what he feels he needs.(E. This He does by His word, commanding them to go, and by His Spirit inclining them to go (Ephesians 2:18). Then there is at once a plain answer.2. His very throne of grace, from which He breathes love and good-will to sinners, is founded on justice and judgment (Psalm 89:14). I said, "There is nothing that we can do but to kneel down and cry to the Lord for the immediate conversion of your husband." In seeking in prayer the mercies we need of God for Christ's sake accordingly (John 16:24). But "in that day Christ will open Himself to you as a fountain of good, and then ye shall ask nothing." What is meant by asking in Christ's name? For what have we instead? There are thousands of letters posted every year which end in the dead letter office, either because they are wrongly directed, or not directed at all, and there are thousands of dead prayers which never reach God for the same reason. To them the thought was despair rather than advance; but in Christ's eyes it was progress. In like manner has the Lord Jesus given to His people a cheque of prayer upon the love of His Father, which they must present to Him — a blank page (charta blanca) as Spener says. It is not consistent with the honour of God to give Sinners a favourable hearing otherwise (John 9:31, with 2 Corinthians 5:19, 21). Then there are prayers which ask for wrong things, or they ask in a wrong way, and so they are wasted. There are people who have "said their prayers" all through life, and, perhaps, never really prayed once. Does He need the utterance of our wants when He detects the secret desire in the heart trembling into words? We must lighten our prayers by casting out self if they are to rise to the throne of God. Bring your desires into harmony with God's, and you will have nothing unsatisfied amongst them; and so you will be blessed to the full. Men were not to pray because they hoped to change God's plan, but because God's plan was the wisest and most loving. (2) Again, we know that God's love cannot be deepened. Prayer is asking God to supply our need. (a)The soul's going out of itself for strength to the duty; that is, renouncing all confidence in itself for the right management of it (2 Corinthians 3:5). )All questions answeredR. Sometimes when a Child comes home from school, after a long and expensive education, the parent finds that he has learnt nothing aright. — that they will bring the blessings they crave? It was a general illustration that fitted a particular case. has long ago been distinctly answered. The messenger laughed at the strange letter, and declared that no one could make it out, "Mother will understand," said the child. H. Spurgeon.Some years ago, a poor woman accompanied by two of her neighbours, came to my vestry in deep distress. Is the heart in communion with the Holy Spirit? Conclusion:1. If that be given, you are pleased and thankful, but if that be withheld, you murmur. This implies —(1) The soul's being come to Christ in the first place (chap. 27).2. The sceptic asks, "Does God ever stop the working of His laws to save the man who prays?" The death of Christ has told us things that Christ before His death could not tell. And at other times it is so weak and dead that we doubt whether it has not altogether vanished to return no more. You have made a sort of calculation of what God should give you in the shape of temporal good. Let those stand reproved who —(1) Make approach unto God in prayer, as an absolute God, without consideration of the Mediator (John 5:23; Ephesians 2:18). Let the people who lose their temper so easily, and say words which they bitterly repent, pray more frequently, and the bitter words would be turned into blessing.2. L. Hull, B. Thus there are times when to pray is the hardest of all tasks; when God appears to be far off. John 14:6).(T. Prayer in Christ's name clears away the two great difficulties to which I have referred. Shall a man ask of Christ —1. Here, then, was a new revelation of the meaning of prayer. We must pray for Christ's sake, as the only procuring cause of the success of our prayers. The word "whatsoever" must be taken simply and literally. In heaven they shall be set down at the fountain; but now the law of the house is, "Ask, and ye shall receive" (Matthew 7:7). Christian prayer is the submissive effort to make my wish what God wills.3. Let those stand reproved who —(1) Make approach unto God in prayer, as an absolute God, without consideration of the Mediator (John 5:23; Ephesians 2:18). He has given us a pattern prayer — "Not as I will but as Thou wilt." Chilled thus by the world of sense, the fire of devotion frequently appears to have almost died out, having left only cold ashes on the altar of the heart.2. (b)The mercy of God considered without a view to the satisfaction of His justice by the Mediator. Sometimes when a Child comes home from school, after a long and expensive education, the parent finds that he has learnt nothing aright. To pray not with the notion of changing God's plan, but because that plan is the best. What is meant by asking in Christ's name? If we believe that such prayer will be answered we are constantly met by the awful thought that God has ordered eternally all the circumstances of life for the best and wisest ends. But often, like foolish children, we ask him for a stone, or a scorpion. This implies —(1) A high esteem of Christ (1 Peter 2:7), for God is honoured in His Son (John 5:23). We gain by losing the visible Christ.2. To them the thought was despair rather than advance; but in Christ's eyes it was progress. The man who could really pray in his place of business would not be able to tell a lie over the counter. So our prayers must be endorsed, so to speak, with the name of Jesus. (4) That acceptable prayer is performed under the sense of the command of a God in Christ (Isaiah 33:22), where majesty and mercy are mixed in it; and that is son-like service. God's gifts come down through the same channel through which our prayer goes up. Heathen prayer is the violent effort to make God will what I wish. Christ came into the world to reveal what God was and to explain His plan. J. W. Buxton.We must be taught how to pray just as we must be taught how to walk. Her husband had fled the country; in her sorrow she went to the house of God, and something I said in the sermon made her think I was personally familiar with her case. There would not be so many unhappy marriages, discontented workers, and wrong men in wrong places, if we would pray before making a solemn choice. He has given us a pattern prayer — "Not as I will but as Thou wilt." (2) Put other things in the room of the Mediator, or join other things with Him. The word "whatsoever" must be taken simply and literally. time, or rising-time; these are special occasions, the general time for prayer is all day long. We knelt down, and I prayed that the Lord would touch the heart of the deserter, and convert his soul, and bring him back home. You will in heaven be men. We must pray for Christ's sake, as the only procuring cause of the success of our prayers. We should not hear so much about bad servants, and dishonest traders, if men would only pray over their work. I do not believe that God changes. )Learning to prayH. "If ye shall ask anything in My name." That woman does not doubt the power of prayer.(C. But "in that day Christ will open Himself to you as a fountain of good, and then ye shall ask nothing." There would not be so many unhappy marriages, discontented workers, and wrong men in wrong places, if we would pray before making a solemn choice. Her husband had fled the country; in her sorrow she went to the house of God, and something I said in the sermon made her think I was personally familiar with her case. Or do they, because they believe God is all-wise, ask to be able to bear success if it be His will it should come, and if not, to be enabled to stand failure? Our Lord never worked a miracle unless the person asking for help showed faith. He has been taught arithmetic, yet he cannot work a single rule properly. Heathen prayer is the violent effort to make God will what I wish. THIS PROMISE HAS COME DOWN TO EVERY DISCIPLE OF CHRIST. Notice how certain such prayer is of being answered. (2) It prepares us to receive God's noblest gifts of love. If so, then he has received a clear answer, and needs no other.3. H. Buxton. NO MORE QUESTIONINGS.1. All questioning will then be openly on His side, and all answering openly also on ours. Well, it means this. John 15:7). If we ask our Heavenly Father for bread, He will not give us a stone. He who prays in Christ's name must pray Christ's prayer, "Not My will but Thine be done." Great burthens are easily carried if we be only told that we have to carry them over a short distance. "I shall see if she loves me." If so, can they pray that prayer in the name of Him who gave up all happiness for man, who endured the Cross and the shame, who, because it was the Father's will, bore all sorrow and made it holy? And as for the difficulty of knowing what I am to believe about controverted questions, no doubt there will remain many gaps in the circle of our knowledge and much left obscure; but if we will keep ourselves near the Master, and use the helps that He gives us we shall not walk in darkness, but shall have light enough to be the Light of Life.II. Mp3 audio link provided above echoes His teaching from the sermon on the MP3 file are above God wills and. 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