Prayer...Some Thoughts

My time at St. Meinrads has been a good time for prayer. I haven't forced myself to pray. But I have found myself praying.

I have been praying "in the name of Jesus". In John 15 and 16 Jesus teaches his followers to pray "in his name." Jesus says, "You did not chose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit-fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name." (John 15:16) And, "I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father. In that day you will ask in in my name." (John 16:23-26)

To pray in Jesus' name is to pray with all the reality of Jesus behind your prayers! It is to pray knowing that Jesus sits on the right hand of God as your Advocated, Mediator, and Priest. It is to come boldly into the presence of The Great and Holy God because Jesus has made a way for you by his death on the Cross. It is to know that you are covered in the beauty of Jesus when you come to God. It is to know that because you love Jesus, the Father delights in you. To pray in the name of Jesus is to pray to God as your Abba, your Dearly Beloved Father. To pray in the name of Jesus means that you come to God as an eternally loved son, that you are an heir of the universe, that God is your Father and all things are yours. To pray in the name of Jesus means to know that the great enemies of our soul - sin, death and hell and Satan - have been defeated. To pray in the name of Jesus is to bear a nobility and dignity as a prince of heaven. To pray in the name of Jesus is to pray with the authority and earnestness of a son of God. To pray in Jesus name means to know that you are bought by the precious blood of Christ. To pray in the name of Jesus means to know the future of the world will culminate in the triumph of Christ the True King of Heaven and Earth.

So I have been praying in the name of Jesus.

And, in my prayers for others - for my family and for my church family - I have been praying that God's design in them, what I call their core or ultimate identity, would be powerfully lived out in their lives. I am praying that God would grant his children the boldness for them to be who He has designed them to be! I am praying that their ultimate identity in God, their true name, would trump all the secondary idnentities that so easily define, motivate, control and, eventually, enslave.

One last thought about prayer. It is going to be very difficult for me to remain at St. Meinrads tomorrow, the first day of school. In IPS, the first day of school is "Dads, bring your kids to school day." There is an emphasis, a push, for dads to go to school with their kids, to show their kids support and how important and education is. Ever since I have been in Indy, I have taken my kids to school on the first day of School.

But Wednesday, tomorrow, I won't be there. Of course, I could make the trip up to Indy (it wouldn't be so bad in the Mustang convertible I'm renting), but I know that I shouldn't; I know that it is best for me to be away at St. Meinrads, resting, thinking, praying, meditating.

So, what can I do? I can pray? I can pray for Jacob as he begins his sophmore year at Tech. I can pray for Julian as he begins his eight grade year at Crispus Attucks. I can pray for Judah as he begins his sixth grade year at Crispus Attucks. I can pray for Jackie as she begins her 3rd grade year at School #14. And, when I pray, I know this. My children are not alone. Their Heavenly Father goes with them. The God of their father, the God of Jason, goes with them. The God who is Mighty, A Rock, A Refuge, A Physician, A Lamb and a Lion goes with them. He is mighty to save. So tomorrow, as my children go to school, and I set myself under the discipline of prayer and solitude and waiting, I will pray.