Reflection:  Today’s verse contains a monumental promise, so monumental that it is easy for us to overextend our expectations regarding it and, conversely, to undervalue its significance because we can’t believe it’s true. But the promise remains there in Scripture — bold and wonderful. The promise is given by Jesus in one of his farewell speeches, and in case you missed what he said, he repeats the promise a few chapters later in John 16:23-24.

So how on earth do we apply the promise contained in today’s verse? It obviously means a lot more than using ‘in Jesus’ name’ as a magical closing tag to our prayers to guarantee that our prayer will be answered. Praying in Jesus’ name means that you are, as the New Testament continually teaches us, ‘in’ Jesus. It means that Jesus’ mission, priorities and character flows out from you. In other words, it means that you are praying according to Jesus’ will, not your own. If we are to do this, then it will mean spending time in Jesus’ presence asking him if and how you should pray for something. Listen for the gentle whisper of God’s Holy Spirit that will give you discernment.

The other thing to keep in mind is the reason for the promise. Jesus wants us to pray in his name so that we will give God the Father glory. In other words, Jesus wants us to show off the Father’s glory through what we do with Jesus.

All this means that we are taking the invitation to ‘carry God’s name’ to whole new level — and it is wonderful.

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, it is wonderful that you should invite us to give the Father glory through what we do in your name. Please fill us with the empowering presence of your Spirit so that we are fruitful in doing the things that bring honour to the Father.