Understanding Prayer: To the Father, in the Name of Jesus

Prayer is one of the greatest privileges given to the believer. Yet, many of us pray the way we were taught without ever stopping to ask: Who did Jesus teach us to pray to? What does it really mean to pray in His name? And when should we ask God versus exercise the authority Christ has given us?

Understanding these differences can bring greater clarity, confidence, and purpose to our prayer lives.

Jesus Taught Us to Pray to the Father

When Jesus was physically present with His disciples, they could come directly to Him with their needs. Jesus said:

“I will do whatever you ask for in my name, so that the Father can be glorified in the Son. When you ask me for anything in my name, I will do it.” John 14:13–14 CEB

However, Jesus also prepared His disciples for a change that would take place after His departure.

He said, “In that day, you won’t ask me anything. I assure you that the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name… Ask, and you will receive so that your joy will be complete.” John 16:23–24 CEB

Then Jesus made an important clarification: “In that day you will ask in my name. I’m not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf.” John 16:26 CEB. This reveals an important pattern for New Covenant prayer:

We pray to the Father in the name of Jesus.

We do not pray to God “in the name of God,” nor do we pray to Jesus in the name of Jesus. Jesus has given every believer the privilege of approaching the Father directly in His name. What an amazing privilege!

How My Understanding of Prayer Became Clearer

My understanding of prayer became clearer during one of our family morning devotions. As I listened to my wife pray, I noticed that she addressed the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit during the same prayer. Something about it caught my attention.

I began to ask myself: What exactly did Jesus teach us about prayer? Who should we address when we pray? And what does it really mean to pray in the name of Jesus? That experience also caused me to examine my own prayer life.

Friends, sometimes we do things simply because that is how we learned to do them. If we slow down and listen carefully to ourselves when we pray, we may discover that some of our prayer habits came more from tradition than from personal understanding of Scripture.

I realized that I needed to learn more. Friends, I am a learner. I am always willing to learn.

I began to pray in the Spirit, think, meditate, study the Scriptures, and read more carefully about prayer. I also remembered a message I had heard from one of my mentor pastors. As I compared what I had heard with Scripture and continued my own study, things became clearer. Then I began to put what I was learning into practice. Since I began praying with this understanding, my prayer life has become more fruitful. I have become more joyful, confident, bold, and authoritative in my walk with Christ.

Knowledge makes a difference.

Prayer and Authority Are Not the Same

One of the most important things I began to understand was the difference between asking the Father in prayer and exercising the authority Jesus has given us in His name.

When we pray, we present our requests to the Father in the name of Jesus.

But there are also times when we are not simply asking. We are standing in the authority Christ has already delegated to us.

Jesus said: “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues.” Mark 16:17 KJV.

Notice what Jesus said. He did not say, “Ask the Father to cast out devils.” He said: “In my name shall they cast out devils.” That is not merely a petition. That is the exercise of delegated authority.

Why Is the Name of Jesus So Important?

The Scripture says: “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2:9–11 KJV

The name of Jesus is not a religious phrase we simply add to the end of a prayer. His name represents His authority. When we pray in His name, we approach the Father based on who Jesus is and what He has accomplished. When we exercise authority in His name, we are not operating in our own power. We are acting under the authority Christ has delegated to us.

The authority is in the name of Jesus. Fellowship Is Different From Petition

This is another important distinction. We can fellowship with Jesus. We can talk with Him, worship Him, and express our love for Him. We can also acknowledge the Holy Spirit, listen to His leading, respond to His promptings, and enjoy His fellowship. The Scripture reveals our fellowship with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. However, fellowship and conversation should not be confused with the specific pattern of asking in prayer that Jesus taught His disciples.

Jesus taught us to approach the Father in His name. Therefore, it is helpful to understand these three distinctions:

We pray to the Father in the name of Jesus.

We exercise spiritual authority in the name of Jesus.

We enjoy fellowship with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Different Types of Prayer Have Different Functions

Not every prayer functions in exactly the same way.

Scripture reveals prayers of petition, intercession, thanksgiving, agreement, dedication, worship, and other expressions of prayer.

There are also situations in which we are not asking God to do something, but acting upon what Christ has already given us authority to do.

Sometimes we need to ask.

Sometimes we need to thank God.

Sometimes we need to intercede.

Sometimes we need to worship.

And sometimes we need to speak and act in the authority of the name of Jesus.

Understanding the difference can completely change the way we pray.

Knowledge Changes the Way You Pray

The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are one, yet Scripture reveals distinctions in their persons and roles in the work of redemption and in our relationship with God. Understanding these distinctions does not divide God. Rather, it helps us better understand what Scripture reveals about how God has chosen to relate to us. And that understanding can help us pray with greater knowledge, confidence, and purpose.

Friends, do not simply accept something because you heard someone say it.

Search the Scriptures for yourself.

Pray about it. Study. Learn. Grow.

The more we understand God’s Word, the more intentional we can become in our prayer lives.

Know whom you are addressing.

Know what you are asking.

Know when to ask.

Know when to give thanks.

And know when to stand and exercise the authority you have been given in the name of Jesus.

Prayer should not merely be a religious routine. It is fellowship with God, communion with our Father, and one of the great privileges we have received through Jesus Christ. I encourage you to explore our blogs and video messages on prayer for more biblical teachings that can help strengthen your prayer life.

Felix Harcourt Ministries
Connecting People With Jesus Christ — Changing Lives