"Have the Faith of God: When You Pray!" Parts 3-1b-2 & 3-1b-3 and 3-1c August 3, 2014

[Dr. Dorothy E. Hooks, PsyD]

b.   NIV Dictionary’s Definition of the Word “Ask” – Part 3-1b-2: This is what the NIV Compact Dictionary of the Bible says about asking the Father anything in Jesus’ name and He will give it to us:

“Asking the Father in the name of Jesus is not a magic formula but it is a new method of prayer introduced by Jesus before His departure! Asking the Father in the name of Jesus is the new ground on which the worshipper stands, a new plea for the success of his petitions and a new mind (transformed mind so you want what God wants – our mindset when we pray plays a big part in our believing) within which the prayer is conceived.

When we pray with a renewed mind, what we want will change – we will not pray on an earthly level but a spiritual one – our fleshy, selfish desires will fade and we will desire what God desire! Therefore, the aim of prayer is not to make God change His mind but to enable us to be more discipline in conforming to the will or God and His disposition as we are molded by His Spirit!

This is what S. Michael Houdmann said in his blog when he answered the question

 “What does it mean to pray in Jesus’ name?” :

Prayer in Jesus’ name is taught in John 14:13-14, “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” Some misapply this verse, thinking that saying “in Jesus’ name” at the end of a prayer results in God always granting what is asked for. This is essentially treating the words “in Jesus’ name” as a magic formula. This is absolutely unbiblical. Praying in Jesus’ name means praying with His authority and asking God the Father to act upon our prayers because we come in the name of His Son, Jesus.

Praying in Jesus' name means the same thing as praying according to the will of God, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him” (1 John 5:14-15). Praying in Jesus’ name is praying for things that will honor and glorify Jesus. Saying “in Jesus’ name” at the end of a prayer is not a magic formula. If what we ask for or say in prayer is not for God’s glory and according to His will, saying “in Jesus’ name” is meaningless. Genuinely praying in Jesus' name and for His glory is what is important, not attaching certain words to the end of a prayer. It is not the words in the prayer that matter, but the purpose behind the prayer. Praying for things that are in agreement with     God’s     will     is     the     essence     of     praying     in     Jesus’     name.

c. Definition of the Word “Tell” – Part 3-1b-3: Here is the definition of “Tell” according to dictionary.com; I want you to get a clear understanding of the words “Ask” and “Tell:” 

i. To make known by speech or writing (a fact, news, information, etc.).

ii. To announce or proclaim – when a situation comes up in our lives and we don’t go to God but start having people agreeing with us for the outcome we want, we are not asking God what His will is but we are telling Him what we want.

When we ask God, we are inquiring of Him; we want to know His will for us in that situation, therefore, we wait for Him to answer. When we wait for God to answer, we don’t make a move until He speak. However, when we tell God or don’t go to Him in prayer (start believing the way we want instead of using His faith), we announcing or proclaiming how we want it to happen – we are not interested in what God want! See the difference between “Ask” and “Tell?”

3. Believe – Part 3-1c: When we have an issue, we should also “Believe;” believe God WILL work it out according to His faith – His will! Don’t believe for the outcome you want but for what God want! What I mean is don’t be so bent and bound on having it your way regardless of the consequences – just believe God has your best interest at hand. If you are praying to God about a crisis situation, trust He will work according to the way He knows it should be worked out! Sometimes when we pray about something, God works that situation out differently than what we ask for – in these cases, rest in His decision, don’t get upset, and trust Him! God loves you and will NEVER do anything to hurt you!

Our actions demonstrates whether we REALLY trust God or not; this will be tested not only in a crisis situation but in our everyday lives! Our faith is being constantly tested to produce patience! Although we are not tested or tempted by God (people are tempted when they “are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death” (James 1:13-18), He knows what it takes for our faith to produce patience! James said in James 1:3-4:

3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Click here for PDF version

God bless,

Dr. Dorothy E. Hooks

Click here to read copyright information

NOTE: These materials are copyright protected therefore you must request permission to reproduce any part of this material. To request permission, please contact Dr. Dorothy E. Hooks: [e-mail].