5/5/11 National Day of Prayer John 16:23,24

²³ In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. ²⁴ Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

(Albrecht Durer Praying Hands- 15th century)

Thoughts: Jesus was about to go to heaven.  The asking of the disciples would change.  They wouldn't ask the physical Jesus directly for advice or for help.  Instead, they would ask the Father in the name of His Son.  Prayer is not just about meditating or lowering our blood pressure.  It is talking to God.  But we have an "in" with God- we know His Son.  On this National Day of Prayer, we are called to pray.  But to whom and how?  Jesus said for his disciples to pray to His Father in His name and then they will receive- that their joy may be complete. 

Prayer: Hear my prayer, O Lord. Incline your ear to us and grant us your peace. 

John Calvin Abridged: It is a wicked defiling of the name of God when we leave Christ out of view, but approach the throne of God.  If we believe that God will give us whatever we ask in the name of His Son, then we will not go here and there looking for other advocates. When We pray in His name, we take Him as our advocate to labor faithfully on our behalf that we might find favor with God- even though we may not expressly mention his name with our lips.