Month: May 2018

I have prayed “in Jesus’ name, amen” all my life.  If a prayer ended any other way, the teaching goes, God will not hear. Almost like a magic spell.

“If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it,” Jesus says.  Is there a more difficult verse in the Bible, at least emotionally? How many of us have asked for things “in the name of Jesus” just to get the big “NO” from above? If you are looking for the definitive exposition of this verse, this is not the post for you.  But I believe every word Jesus said, so how can I understand this a little better?

One thing I have come to understand is that the name of Jesus is like no other-or more accurately, the names of Jesus are like no other.  I have a complicated German name- it took research by a German linguist to discover that my name means “gentle one sent by God.” I was 21 when I learned this; maybe I would have been more gentle if I knew it at an earlier age, but I still want to live up to my name.

That’s not the way it works for Jesus. Jesus defines his name,  not the other way around.  We don’t look at the concept of “truth” and ask if Jesus really embodies that- we define truth by who Jesus is and what he does.  After all, he created everything we call “truth.”

We don’t ask if Jesus is loving enough to be called “Love.” Jesus redefined love in his creative work, his faithful presence throughout time, his earthly life, and then, astoundingly, in his death, burial and resurrection.

So praying in the name of Jesus- that’s big.  If we really pray in Jesus name, it changes what we pray.  And it changes our expectation from self-oriented to “thy will be done.”  In his name our prayers become loving, freeing, merciful and just. Even when we don’t get it perfectly right, in our attempts we become partners with God, as his church was created to be, through our prayers.

A quick caveat- I’m not there. If you are, that’s awesome! I plan to keep practicing my heartfelt yet imperfect praying for the rest of my life, holding onto my desire to pray every moment fully “in Jesus’ name” while knowing I fall short. Maybe you are like me, and we can thank God for his grace in hearing us anyway!

Father, there is power in your name, in the name of Jesus that we can only imagine.  I pray, Father, that my children will love you and will actively seek to know you and the power of your name. I pray that we will be changed by the name of Jesus so that we see with your eyes and our hearts are broken by what breaks your heart. I pray for the prayers of my children (and, as always, me)- that our prayers would grow more and more in your name so that we can be your partners in your work of love, truth, justice, freedom, mercy and grace in our world. #prayersformychildren

“Really Peter? You’ll lay down your life for me? Actually, you’ll betray me three times before morning.  Don’t let it get to you. Trust God- and trust me as well.  I’m making a way for us to be together forever.”

I’ve missed this my whole life. It takes nothing away from the beauty of this passage used so often at funerals, but an entire layer of depth is added, when you read past the chapter division.

This is an emotional time for Jesus, scriptures say. He knows Judas is in the middle of bargaining for his life, and he knows the turmoil he is going to have to endure. And Jesus knows his friends will run away, but he wants to make sure that they know they can come back.

How have I missed this? “Don’t let your hearts be troubled.” “Don’t let it throw you.” Jesus says this immediately following his prediction of Peter’s betrayal. His love overwhelms his sorrow, and he wants to make sure his friends hear this- I know you will betray me but I am making a way for us to be together forever anyway.  Trust me.

How precious were these words to the disciples later on, when their spirits were in danger of being crushed by their own cowardice and unfaithfulness? How much did these words add to their love for Jesus, and their understanding of his love for them?

Children, we betray Jesus too.  We forget him, we deny him, we fail to obey or trust him.   But, like Peter and Thomas, we have to keep coming back to him because- well, where else would we go? And he keeps welcoming us back, because he loves us. He understands us, and he loves us anyway.

Father, once again I am overwhelmed by your love for us.  You know we are weak, you know our faithlessness, and yet you love us anyway.  Thank you for this beautiful picture of a home prepared for us all, where your faithfulness conquers our failings, and your love overcomes our sin.  I pray that as these children I love would not be thrown by their own betrayal and sin, but would turn to you in trust and believe that your love endures. Father, we anticipate with joy and hope the time we will all be together forever in the home you are preparing. #prayersformychildren

Like a mom walking out the door and leaving her kids with last-minute instructions, or a teacher wrapping up a year long course, or even like a much loved professor delivering a commencement address.

This is the way I see Jesus as he speaks to and prays for his disciples for the last time before he walks the Gesthemane road.  He knows all the other words and events will come back to the disciples, but in the meantime don’t forget this core truth. Hold on to it through the wild ride that could make you forget all except the most basic thing I taught, he says.

“You can’t come with me, so stay here and love each other.”

Very, very simple words with deep layers of meaning. Love each other. Treat each other like I’ve treated you. Look for the ones who are pushed aside and love them, too. Just love, in the verb sense. In the real life way of dirty feet and hungry bellies and betrayers and thieves.

Father, I pray that my children and I would love like Jesus loved while he walked our earth, and like you have loved throughout eternity.  Empower us to love across all backgrounds, ethnicities, religions and genders- unconditionally, fiercely, inconveniently, forgivingly, faithfully, personally, enduringly. Sacrificially.  When we love like Jesus, everyone will know we are yours, Father- may this be the deep desire of our hearts. #prayersformychildren