Westminster Larger Catechism (1647), Westminster Assembly

Question 180

What is it to pray in the name of Christ?

To pray in the name of Christ is, in obedience to his command, and in confidence on his promises, to ask mercy for his sake;a not by bare mentioning of his name,b but by drawing our encouragement to pray, and our boldness, strength, and hope of acceptance in prayer, from Christ and his mediation.c

What is it to pray in the name of Christ?

To pray in the name of Christ is, in obedience to his command, and in confidence on his promises, to ask mercy for his sake;a not by bare mentioning of his name,b but by drawing our encouragement to pray, and our boldness, strength, and hope of acceptance in prayer, from Christ and his mediation.c

  1. a. John 14:13–14; 16:24; Daniel 9:17

    John 14:13–14

    14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14:14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

    14:13 And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14:14 If you ask Me for anything in My name, I will do it.

    John 16:24

    16:24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

    16:24 Until now you have not asked for anything in My name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.

    Daniel 9:17

    9:17 Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord’s sake.

    9:17 So now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of Your servant. For Your sake, O Lord, cause Your face to shine upon Your desolate sanctuary.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  2. b. Matthew 7:21

    Matthew 7:21

    7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

    7:21 Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  3. c. Hebrews 4:14–16; 1 John 5:13–15

    Hebrews 4:14–16

    4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

    4:14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we profess. 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin. 4:16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

    1 John 5:13–15

    5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 5:15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

    5:13 I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 5:15 And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we already possess what we have asked of Him.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

Related (1)

Westminster Shorter Catechism (1647), parallel to this question

Question 98

What is prayer?

Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God, for things agreeable to his will, in the name of Christ, with confession of our sins, and thankful acknowledgement of his mercies.

Commentaries (8)