In the public trauma of 911, religious leaders gathered for an interfaith public prayer service. While Muslim clerics prayed for the United States in the name of Allah, some Christian leaders did not begin or end their prayers in the name of Jesus.
I remember a well known author and pastor who, in a 2002 college commencement address, expressed concern that these Christian leaders had shown cowardice in not boldly declaring the name of Christ in a public arena of public need. His issue was not that these leaders showed an attitude of religious tolerance. He went so far as to make the major point of his message to the students that tolerance of religious pluralism is an absolute necessity until Jesus himself returns to remove all doubt that he is Lord of lords and God of gods.
The point he pressed was that he believes that, in the face and presence of pluralism, the people of Christ must not sacrifice the name of Jesus in order not offend those who have not yet bowed the knee to him.
This is an issue I’ve often thought about.
I have noticed a growing reluctance among some followers of Christ to not pray in the name of Jesus even among ourselves, let alone when asked to pray in community events. My sense is that if we are asked to pray, then– like Muslim clerics, we need the courage to pray politely, but forthrightly in the name of Jesus.
My reason for believing this is that Jesus repeatedly taught his disciples to pray in his name (John 14:13-14; 15:16;16:23-26).
But then I come across a passage like Colossians 3:17. There Paul writes “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” At this point I ask, what does it mean to do everything “in the Name of Jesus”?
The answer, it seems, is not to repeat, out loud, “Jesus” before or after everything we say or do. That misses the point that the biblical use of “in the name of” is like saying “in the authority of, or, in a manner that is consistent with the purposes and spirit of.”
I’m still inclined to believe that, if we are asked to lead in public or community prayer, we should not be afraid or reluctant to reverently, and appropriately, honor the name of our Savior. Seems to me that even the spirit and principle of religious pluralism requires us to honestly express our differences while pursuing shared desires for peace and public cooperation.
But, at the same time, am thinking that “praying in the name of Jesus” probably doesn’t mean attaching the name of “Jesus” to the beginning or ending of our prayers. Coming to the Father in Jesus name seems to first, and above all, mean to pray in a manner that is consistent with the Spirit, values, purposes, and attitudes of our Lord.
Anyway, that’s where I am on the meaning of “in the name of Jesus” and how we use that name in prayer… and life. Would be interested to know if you are on the same page, or see it differently…
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