Praying In the Name

To pray in the name of Christ is to pray as He would pray. It’s like standing in His stead and pleading before the Father’s throne for the answer s that would please him. It’s keeping in mind the purpose He has in the world, and seeking to work out that purpose. It’s just simply praying His prayer.

Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name , he may give it you. - John 15:16 KJV

And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name , he will give it you. 24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name : ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. - John 16:23-24 KJV

Pastor Winston

Praying in the Name

The most marvelous promises given on the pages of scripture are those which are linked to the “name of Christ.” The truth is that no prayer today is genuinely efficacious unless it is prayed in that name. But to pray in the name of Christ is a far different matter that to merely append to you prayer the words … “in Jesus name.”

For where two or three come together in my name , there am I with them." - Matt 18:20 NIV

And I will do whatever you ask in my name , so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name , and I will do it. - John 14:13-14 NIV

Pastor Winston

God Knows All

It is true that oft times we must pray blindly. We must ask God to make for us the decisions we are not capable of making. But we must not forget that God is not blind, and with our hand clasped tightly in His, there will be no errors made.

Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, 10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: - Isa 46:9-10 KJV

Pastor Winston

The Details of Life

Nor does the will of God extend only to large issues. Unbelievable as it may seem, God’s purpose includes even the small details of life. Frequently, the so—called small issues turn out to be matter so of great importance.

So our prayers should take in the entire realm of daily living. Only so will our prayers avail.

So then, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you may do, do all for the honor and glory of God. - 1 Corinthians 10:31 AMP

Pastor Winston

Prayer is Necessary

Prayer is necessary – yes, even vital – to keep in the will and plan of God. Many exhortations call upon the Christian to pray – pray much – pray constantly. Such ceaseless prayer is exceedingly wise because of the enemies we face, the world, the flesh and the Devil. The child of God has little strength to oppose such an evil triumvirate. Power to resist and to overcome is by the prayer-line.

John Wesley is quoted as saying, "It seems that God can do nothing except when men pray."

And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint -Luke 18:118:1 KJV

Pastor Winston

God's Way

Apparently from Scripture we see both a directive and a permissive will of God. A story (2 Kings 20:1-11) to this point illustrates. A good King in the Old Testament was told that God desired to take him home. To this he bitterly protested and God then healed him and gave him fifteen years more of life.

During these fifteen years he had a son, Manasseh, (2 Kings 21:1-9) who succeeded him on the throne who became of Israel’s worst kings and a shame to his father’s name. Far better for the good King to have quietly accepted the directive will of God.

God knows best and we are sure to walk in a greater success when we follow his direction and leading.

Pastor Winston

Shaping Our Prayers By God's Word

You may be always sure that God’s plan will always be consonant with his Word, the Bible.

Therein God has set forth the great underlying principles which are inherent in His character. So, a thorough knowledge of what the scriptures teach will be of value in shaping our prayers.

I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. Psalm 138:2 KJV

Pastor Winston

Praying In God's Plan

We must pray in His will. The fact is, God cannot answer prayer that is not in His will. It would be contrary to His omniscience, and of real harm to our lives.

So, it is of the very greatest importance to fashion our prayers to conform to His will and purpose.

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:9-10 KJV

Pastor Winston

Praying In God's Plan

Here’s where prayer comes in. We know not what we should pray for as we ought. We don’t know the end from the beginning as He does. So, our prayers ought always to be prayed according to His plan. This is infinitely wise, for God delights to answer prayer according to his will.

And the Father who knows all hearts knows, of course, what the Spirit is saying as he pleads for us in harmony with God's own will. 28 And we know that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into his plans. Romans 8:27-28 TLB

Pastor Winston

God's Plan For Us

But God does not reveal the entire plan at once. Rather, in His wisdom He makes it known to us day by day. Oftentimes we can't see ahead. This is a test for our faith and faithfulness. But as we trust Him he never fails to bring about the daily completion of the plan.

“I am GOD, the only God you've had or ever will have — incomparable, irreplaceable — 10 From the very beginning telling you what the ending will be, All along letting you in on what is going to happen, Assuring you, 'I'm in this for the long haul, I'll do exactly what I set out to do,' “ Isaiah 46:9-10 (THE MESSAGE)

Pastor Winston

God's Plan & Purpose For Us

The plan of God extends down into our individual lives. For after we’re saved and born into God’s family, He whispers in our ear that He already has a blueprint for our lives. This blueprint calls for our highest success.

It outlines the method by which this highest success should be attained. It shows a day by day working out of details which will beautifully fit into the whole of life. Our lives may be gloriously successful as we follow the plan.

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

Pastor Winston

God Is A Wise Father

The plan of God is a wise one. It takes in every detail, and extends throughout all time into eternity. In this plan God purposes the eternal bliss of the righteous and the destiny of the unrighteous. And not only does God’s plan include wisdom, but it includes power and authority to execute.

Behold, I give unto you power [exousia / authority] to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power [dunamis / ability] of the enemy : and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Luke 10:19 KJV

Pastor Winston

God Answers Prayers In His Will

What does it mean to pray in God’s will? First of all, let us understand fully that God has a will, a purpose and a plan for His body and for you individually. This universe is not just haphazardly moving existing. There is wisdom behind it all. God has a complete, over all master plan and He is working out this plan day by day.

It is not a minute behind, and nothing that God intended to do will ever fail of fulfillment. Nothing is more sure in life that the completion of the purpose of God.

Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will. Psalm 103:21 NIV

Pastor Winston

God Delights To Answer You

God delight s to answer if..

If you are a truly born again Christian, does this mean that now you may access the resources of God for anything your heart desires? The answer is “yes” if your petition is in the will of God. Over and over again the most amazing promises are available to the child of God. Nothing in this world is beyond the reach of our prayers … if we pray in God’s will.

He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. Psalm 91:15 KJV

Pastor Winston

A New Creation In Christ

When you really come to know Christ as your own, you know you have access to the throne of grace. You can now really pray. You can pray knowing that at the other end of your prayer is your Father. This Father loves you, and as with Queen Esther, the scepter of His favor is continually extended to you.

He desires your best and will most certainly see to it that you receive the best. You have become a new creation in Jesus Christ. You are a child of God. This is now the place of God’s presence, your prayer place … now pray with confident assurance.

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16 NIV

Pastor Winston

The Personal Christ

When you truly come to this place and see Christ as your own, and His sacrifice as your sacrifice, then you’re born again, this time from Heaven. God takes you into His family for Christ’s sake you share in all the marvels of this new relationship.

There’s a home in glory for you, you become an heir of wealth incalculable, and you are now the possessor of eternal life. These things are instantly and eternally yours … when you take Christ.

Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. John 3:5 KJV

Pastor Winston

He Died For Me

My reception of Christ must be an absolutely personal one. It is true that he died for the sins of a world of men. But for me, He died for MY sins. And MY personal, individual forgiveness is dependent upon the fact that Christ is MY own, MY personal Savior. For ME, it is “Christ died for me.”

In review, I realize that he looked at me as if I was the only one in the world that He must die for. How awesome the thought that if it were only me, Christ would have died.

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 KJV

Pastor Winston

He Was My Substitute

First of all, our meeting place is the cross. There I come to the reality that I was the one that deserved death. I was the sinner. I rebelled against God. The guilt was mine, the penalty belonged to me.

But as I look up, I see someone else dying for me. He who knew no sin took my place and my penalty. He became my substitute. He took my shame, He assumed my agony, my nail pierced His hands and feet, my thorny crown was placed upon his head, my spear was thrust into His side, and my death became His death.

“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin ; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21 KJV

Pastor Winston

The Roman Road

There must be a personal, individual, heart acceptation after one reviews the Roman’s revelation. For one does not regard Jesus Christ as merely a person of history, His birth, death and advent, not a mere story.

When we look at other historical Men, we hear of their exploits and believe in them. But Christ is God, sent to the earth, to pay the price for man’s ultimate worth. We must believe, and honor God’s gift, this is the plan with Him in the heaven’s we shall sit.

The Roman Revelation (Romans 10:8-10)

And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: Ephesians 2:6 KJV

New Life In Christ

All of this is a matter of record for God through Him had provided the deliverance method. As the years and seasons would transpire, the blood, men’s souls would require.

Each man that came to know this His Christ, would be transformed by sin’s great price. As grace was applied to each new life, one by one we gained God’s sight.

The Spirit of man, now set free, one new man in Christ, what liberty.

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)

He Paid the Price

Then one day, the sun could not shine along with the Son of God. As it was hidden from view, the earth quaked as He gave Himself to die on a cross of sin and shame. Hanging in the balance between heaven and earth His blood was poured out once and for all. To bring those who believed on Him into right relationship with His Father.

Then count it, for the days numbered three and the Father in heaven commanded that He must be free. He ascended to the Heavenly Tabernacle, which was the true, the place He would pour His blood for me and for you. All that was left was a defeated foe, no longer did he have sin over us to hold. For in the death and resurrection of our Christ, He would forever have paid redemption’s price. This is God’s answer to man’s sin.

His sacrifice: Matthew 27:45-54

Pastor Winston

Emanuel (God With Us)

In the fullness of time there came a day when the Son of God was to take human form. Born in Bethlehem of a virgin, Jesus of Nazareth entered the world. His life was one of faith and pleasing to God, attested to by the Father’s utterance after John’s baptism; Jesus words commanded such authority that those who heard him would comment on the power and authority with which he spoke.

His deeds were incomparable. He lived Thirty- three years and decisively showed us that He was God in human flesh (Emanuel). Thousands saw him and believed on Him, they spoke and wrote about him. Their testimony is sure, Jesus Christ was God in the Flesh.

If Christ is indeed God and he declared that we are in Him – He further declared that whatever we ask in His name will be granted to us … What then are we waiting for, move out in the boldness of our relationship with Lord of the universe.

"Go into the entire world and preach the Good News to everyone. 16 Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned. 17 These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages. 18 They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won't hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed." Mark 16:15-18 NLT

Pastor Winston

God's Action Plan

Did Adam's transgression surprise God, what was He to do?

Someone must pay the penalty of His broken law, and that someone must Himself be from the curse of sin. But there was one, and this one was God himself. It was God the second person of the trinity, Jesus.

This then, was God’s own answer to the problem of Man’s terrible predicament. God would Himself take the penalty and die.

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 1 Peter 2:24 (NIV)

Pastor Winston