In His Name

“You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” (John 14:14 NIV)

I’ve been to a few land auctions just to watch the proceedings. Large parcels of land are sold to the highest bidder for hundreds of thousands of dollars. The auctioneers speak rapidly, and the bidders are quite subtle--a nod of  the head or a touch of a cap can signal the next high offer. Sometimes I see proxy agents who make offers while on the phone. These representatives are making bids for buyers who are not even present at the auction. The proxy agent has been given the authority to commit whatever the buyer has previously approved. The agent doesn’t have the money, but he is confident that the buyer will pay.

When we pray in the name of Jesus, we are interceding according to His directions. As representatives of Christ, we have been given the authority to make huge bids beyond our capacity. There is a certain amount of detachment that we have in the results, since we are merely go-betweens in this process. We stay in constant communication with God so that we know His will at all times. Mutual trust is essential. We must be committed and attentive to the Lord. We also have to be confident that the  One whom we represent will come through on His promises.

“And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.” (Colossians 3:17 NLT)