May 6- 2 Corinthians 1:20

THE VERSE

For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why through him we utter our Amen to God for his glory.
~2 Corinthians 1:20

THE THOUGHT

Have you ever wondered why we end prayers with, “In Jesus’ name, amen?” Everybody does it, but it has become so routine that we don’t even stop to think why we’re saying it. It’s just what people say when they’re done praying, right? Kind of like, “Okay, God, I’m hanging up now?” That kind of ignorance about our prayers robs us of much joy and security. The answer for why we pray in Jesus’ name is given here in 2 Corinthians. The reason, Paul says, that we utter our Amen through Jesus, is because “all the promises of God find their Yes in Him.” The word “Amen” means “Let it be so.” So when we pray, “In Jesus name, Amen,” what we are saying is, “God, let all these requests be answered because of Jesus.”

We can have great confidence praying in this way, because every promise that God has ever made has found its fulfillment in Jesus Christ. God has never failed to follow through on promises made; what He says, He always does, and He does it in Jesus. So to pray in Jesus’ name is to take hold of all the promises of God and say to God, “You promised this to me!”

The reason that this kind of prayer is “for His glory,” is because in praying like this, we are looking away from our own qualifications for blessing, and putting all our hope in what Jesus has done. God doesn’t keep His promises to us because we are so faithful or so good. No, God keeps His promises to us because of Jesus’ blood and righteousness. Every answered prayer was bought with the blood of Jesus and guaranteed to those who don’t trust in themselves but in Him who justifies the ungodly and welcomes sinners into the courts of heaven.

THE PRAYER

Dear God, Thank you for every answered prayer. Your faithfulness to always do what You say is my rock of joy and security. I’m so relieved to know that my qualifications for blessing don’t lie in what I do, but in what Your Son has done for me. I stand in His righteousness, and because of that, You love to answer my prayers with lavish grace. Thank you, Lord, for Your love. In JESUS’ name, Amen!

EXTENDED READING

2 Corinthians 1:18-22

THE QUOTE

“God gives with interest.” ~Peter J. Leithart