What's in a name?

John 14:13 says, "And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father."

A lot of people pray.  Jesus isn't simply stating that a pray that simply mentions His name will move him but prayer that is in accordance with all that the person who bears the name is.  It is prayer aimed at carrying forward the work Jesus did - prayer that he himself will answer.

To get the true gist of what Jesus is speaking about here, you have to go all the way back to Psalm 5:11: "But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them sing for joy.  Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you."

There is true power in the name of Jesus:

• His people can pray to him by calling on his name
• The name of the Lord protects
• The Lord saves by his name
• His saving acts testify that his name is near.
• The godly "trust" in his name
• Hope in his name
• "Sing praise" to his name
• "Rejoice" in his name
• Both the "love" and "fear" that belong alone to God are similarly directed toward his name

Has any name, in all of history, carried so much power, authority, and love?  Consider the true name and identity of the one who you pray to the next time you pray.