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WisconsinChristianNews.com
Volume 27, Issue 1
What Does It Mean to Pray in the Name of Jesus?
By Carey Kinsolving April 2026 “Praying in Jesus’ name is like having a VIP pass to talk to God,” says Mia, 10. “Because of Jesus, we can go straight to God and He listens!”
a candy machine. It’s about praying for what Jesus values, which are fruits of His indwelling Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience and more (Galatians 5:22-23).
Because of Jesus, we no longer need a human priest to ap- proach God for us. Jesus made all believers part of God’s family.
Jesus finished His teaching in John 16 with a promise of peace and victory: “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33). When we pray in Jesus’ name under the New Covenant, we’re not begging. We’re believing. We’re standing on the victory Jesus already won. Under the Old Covenant, God visited His peo- ple through prophets and a physical temple in Jerusalem. In the New Covenant, God inhabits His people. All Christians are living temples of the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 6:19). Under the Old Covenant, God visited His people. In the New Covenant, God inhabits His people. The Old
Before we dive in, let’s be clear: saying “in Jesus’ name” at the end of a prayer isn’t magic. You prob- ably won’t see candy fall from the sky or teleport your homework from another galaxy. There’s a reason praying in Jesus’ name is far more powerful and real. In John 16:23, Jesus said: “And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, what- ever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.” (John 16:23). Jesus was pointing to a big change that was about to happen, the transition from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant. Under the Old Covenant, people couldn’t come directly to God. They needed priests, animal sacrifices and religious rituals to get near Him. But Jesus was about to change everything.
Now, under the New Covenant, every believer can talk to God per- sonally, anytime, anywhere.
Covenant was a mere shadow of a greater reality.
Think About This: Under the New Covenant, praying in Jesus’ name means we come boldly to the Father, trusting in Jesus’ fin- ished work, not our own.
When Jesus died on the cross and rose again, He became the final sacrifice for our sin. The temple veil that separated people from God’s presence was torn in two. Why? Because through Jesus, we now have direct access to the Father. That’s the heart of the New Covenant. In John 16:26–27, Jesus explained more: “In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you; for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God.”
“When I pray in Jesus’ name, I think about what He would do,” says Olivia, 11. “It helps me pray better.”
Memorize This Truth: John 16:23 previously quoted.
“When I pray, I imagine Jesus standing next to me, helping me find the right words,” says Ethan, 9. “It makes me feel like He’s re- ally listening.”
Ask This Question: When I pray, am I trusting in what Jesus has done or what I have done? KidsTalkAboutGod.org
Praying in Jesus’ name means praying in line with His heart and mission. It’s not about asking for a mansion with a water slide and
National Day Of Prayer (Continued from Page 27)
A Notable Omission On February 24, 2026, President Donald Trump delivered the State of the Union address. Amid cov- erage of many topics, he did not once recognize the horrific abuses detailed in the Epstein files, despite the clear and urgent call from the public for justice. There were many difficult topics covered in the speech, so it wasn’t a matter of timing or appropri- ateness. It was the perfect moment, especially as people from across political divides were willing to work together on this issue. While some undoubt- edly had ulterior motives, those motives still aligned with advancing investigations, arrests, and justice. Members of Congress from both sides wore pins during the speech referencing the release of Ep- stein documents, and survivors of Epstein’s abuse were invited as guests by Democratic lawmakers to highlight the ongoing lack of accountability. Yet Trump’s silence stood in stark contrast, failing the Biblical pattern of leaders confronting wrongdoing and calling for repentance. Words Without Action Trump has publicly addressed the Epstein files, but only to claim exoneration, dismiss the matter as a “Democratic hoax,” or express indifference. Re- cent reporting suggests the DOJ may be withhold- ing facts related to Trump and the Epstein files, raising serious concerns about transparency and the faith he claims to practice. Talking about wrong- doing is not the same as acting on it, and this si- lence should be a warning signal to all congregations. From a Biblical perspective, all leadership roles (not just the presidency) carry a responsibility to re- pent, act justly, and defend the oppressed (Isaiah 1:17). Silence, denial, or dismissal creates a widen- ing gap between publicly invoking God and pursu- ing true justice. And Scripture does not treat that gap lightly. Isa- iah 1 is blunt: “When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you make
many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood.”
satan” for every instance of hypocrisy, but it makes clear that satan is the source behind such behavior, exploiting deceit and pretense to advance his aims. In doing so, the heart turns from genuine repen- tance, justice, and humility, substituting human ap- proval for God’s approval. This is not merely a personal failing; it is a distortion of God’s law and
Conclusion I do not write this out of fear or to attack any one person or party, nor am I telling anyone what polit- ical side they should stand on. I see good and evil on all sides, so I choose no side but God’s. I write to open eyes to what Scripture calls us to see. We cannot ignore patterns of misconduct simply because leaders may do something good or claim to be a Christian. The occasional right decisions do not erase ongoing failures of justice, nor does lip service to righteousness equal true obedience. Perhaps the most important question we each must ask ourselves is: to whom are you truly pledged? A party, a person, a campaign slogan, or to God? Are we evaluating leaders’ words and actions against Scripture, weighing the fruit they produce over time, and letting Christ guide our discernment before we act? Or are we letting politics and per- sonality shape our faith, instead of letting our faith shape our view of politics? I am not naive; no person, leader, or politician is perfect by any standard, but we are called to seek discernment in how God wants us to engage with the world. When we center Christ in our lives first, He will guide our decisions — in prayer, advocacy, voting, support, and giving — and we must refuse to turn a blind eye to wrongdoing and evil, resisting the temptation to excuse the behavior of others. By doing so, we become far less susceptible to satan’s deception. In living faithfully, we can serve as beacons of light, spreading God’s Word and helping restore the authority and truth of Scripture in our communities. I leave you with this: “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanks- givings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” (1 Timothy 2:1-2).
God rejects prayer that is divorced from repen- tance and justice. If a National Day of Prayer omits repentance, this is what remains: A public perform- ance without confession, and a spiritual appeal that is blind to God.
the ethical truths the prophets worked to reveal.
Hypocrisy as Defined by Scripture Jesus reserves His sharpest rebukes not for pa- gans, but for religious leaders who appear righteous externally but are corrupt internally (Matthew 23). He calls them Blind Guides. Hypocrisy in Scripture is more than inconsistency with one’s stated beliefs or principles. It is the de- liberate substitution of outward form for inward obe- dience, where ritual, piety, or moral pretense is used to create an illusion of righteousness. The Bible does not use the phrase “act of following
The consequences of hypocrisy are profound. It misleads both the hypocrite and the people they in- fluence, masking the reality of sin, injustice, and moral decay. Satan benefits from this deception, using it to confuse, misdirect, and weaken God’s people, while spiritual leadership becomes a tool for appearance rather than a reflection of God’s truth.
Discerning believers must be vigilant to recognize true obedience from mere performance.
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