Praying in Jesus’ Name!

Saturday, May 16, 2026

Acts 18: 23-28; Jn 16: 23b-28

Today’s Gospel highlights praying in Jesus’ name.

But what does it mean to pray in Jesus’ name? What does ‘praying in Jesus’ name’ entail?

There are at least three important aspects to ‘praying in Jesus’ name.’

At first, praying in Jesus’ name means entering into a new relationship with God the Father. It helps us experience the closeness with God we have never experienced before. It gives us direct access to God. This closeness with God abolishes whatever separated us from Him. Thus, when we pray in Jesus’ name, we experience God in a new light and let our lives be shaped and transformed by His love.

Secondly, praying in Jesus’ name means praying with the heart and mind of Christ. It means allowing Christ’s vision to shape ours. Christ reflected God’s will in all he did. In the Garden of Gethsemane, even in his moments of anguish, Jesus prayed, ‘Not my will but yours be done.’ Hence, praying in Jesus’ name means ensuring that God’s will may be accomplished in us just as Christ allowed it to happen in his life.

Thirdly, praying in Jesus’ name means to allow prayer to become our very life. Jesus prayed and let prayer be seen in his life. The healing episodes reveal that Christ put into practice God’s will for humanity. Christian prayer matures as we begin to ask like St. Francis of Assisi, ‘Lord, what do you want me to do?’ This is how Christian prayer becomes inseparable from mercy, charity, forgiveness, and justice. Prayer becomes powerful when life becomes a reflection of our prayer. 

Let us pray that we may become like Jesus through our prayer.

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar