PRAY IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST
In the ancient nation of Israel, the high priest was the only one authorized to enter the Holy of Holies of the tabernacle or temple, a fact that symbolized the entrance to the direct presence of God. The high priest could enter only once a year, on the Day of Atonement (see Leviticus 16). With this one exception for a single day, everyone who entered this sacred room would suffer death! In the same way, humanity in general is separated from direct contact with God.
However, because Jesus of Nazareth died for our sins, today true Christians do have direct access to the Father. Instead of fearing death by presenting ourselves before the presence of God, we have these instructions: "Let us then come boldly to the throne of grace, to obtain mercy and find grace for the timely help" (Hebrews 4:16).
Through the "name", that is, the position and authority of Jesus Christ, we can approach God directly in prayer and worship. We do not need a human priest as intercessor, because we already have the greatest of the high priests, Jesus Christ (v. 14), and He instructed his followers: "Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father In my name, he will give it to you. So far you have asked nothing in my name; Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full "(John 16: 23-24).
It is true that many abuse the name of Christ, and that is why Jesus quoting Isaiah, thus described the religious leaders of his day: "in vain do they honor me, teaching as doctrines, the commandments of men" (Matthew 15: 9). And on another occasion, he also said: "Why do you call me, Lord, Lord, and do not do what I say?" (Luke 6:46).
In order to correctly invoke the name of Jesus, we have to obey him and ask according to his will. Remember that in the sermon on the Mount, He warned: "Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day: Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name cast out demons, and in your name we did many miracles? And then I will declare to you: I never knew you; depart from me, you who practice lawlessness "(Matthew 7: 21-23).
The Greek word translated as "evil" is anomie, whose root means "transgression of the law". Frankly, those who teach that it is no longer necessary to obey the Ten Commandments do not have the moral authority to invoke the name of Jesus Christ, because they are teaching and practicing a false Christianity, a completely contrary to all that for which Jesus lived and died!
The apostle John explained: "He who says, I know him, and does not keep his commandments, he is a liar, and the truth is not in him" (1 John 2: 4). We do not really "know" God nor are we familiar with Him, if we do not give ourselves totally by practicing the Ten Commandments as a way of life and allowing Christ to live in us. In the same way, we can not know God if we are not growing, surpassing ourselves and living the experience of having our own divine character expressed in those commandments!
Those who do not really know God and his way of life, simply can not approach as he should before Him and in the name of Jesus Christ. However, we have seen that the merciful God can even listen to the prayer of a sinner as long as his ignorance is not in bad faith and if he seeks God with all his heart. On the other hand, those of us who wish to see constant answers to our prayers must serve and obey the true God. This is what the divine Word says: "To him who knows how to do good, and does not do it, it is sin" (James 4:17).
When you approach God in fervent and frequent prayer, remember that you must be obeying your Master and Lord Jesus Christ. While He does not expect to see instant spiritual maturity, He does want us to walk this path with the help of the Holy Spirit. Then, come to God through Christ to communicate with Him through effective prayer. And remember that coming in the name of Christ, that is, by his authority, holds most of the keys given in this booklet. It is so because coming in the name of Christ whole and perfectly involves praying to the true God, being nourished by the Scriptures, obeying God, forgiving others, having deep faith, being persistent, learning to hold on as malleable clay in the hands of the Creator and, worship God with all your heart.
Finally, I beg you for your own good to study and review all these important keys! Learn to pray constantly to God, conversing with Him, walking with Him. Then, as the end of this age approaches, when the trials and tribulations that a true Christian must suffer come upon you, for surely they will come
Trials and tribulations will come surely! Prayer will equip us for that moment. Especially when we pray with the right approach!
omonosa