“Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” John 16:24

Jesus told us to pray in his name. In addition to the verse above Jesus also encourages us to pray in his name in John 14:13-14 where he says, “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.”

Of course, praying in the name of Jesus implies that we are subjecting our requests to his perfect will. And as we do that, Jesus promises to take an active role in our prayers as we pour out our hearts before him. In fact, the Bible describes three specific roles Jesus fills as we approach God in his name.

Jesus is our advocate. As the Apostle John wrote in his first letter: “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.” (1 John 2:1). Isn’t it great to know that Jesus speaks to the Father on our behalf?

Jesus is our mediator. “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 2:5) There is no need for any other go between.

Jesus is our intercessor. “Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” (Romans 8:34b). And Hebrews 7:25 tells us Jesus “is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.”

Pray with confidence in the mighty name of Jesus, that your joy may be full.