Why do Christians almost always end their prayers saying “In Jesus’ Name” ? Is it incorrect to omit that? We’re having a gathering at our house, and, out of respect for a Muslim guest, my family thinks that we should omit, ‘In Jesus’ Name’ when we say grace that day. I totally disagree. But, I want to be sure that I’m disagreeing because it’s wrong to do that, and not because of any emotional reason. Is it proper to just pray to GOD, and not end the prayer, ‘IJN’, or do Christians always invoke the holy Name of Jesus at the end of any prayer?
It is not mandatory that Christians end their prayers with the phrase “in Jesus’ name”. As far as I can tell the practice of doing so came from John 14:13-14.
“And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.”
Bu t while we’re on the subject, I’ve never understood why Christians are so reluctant to speak the name of Jesus in the presence of unbelievers.
Doesn’t your guest realize you’re Christians? Wouldn’t a group of Muslims invoke the name of Allah while praying in your presence? Why are we, the followers of the world’s only true and complete religion, so timid in the presence of those who are not? By praying in Jesus’ name we’re simply giving power to our prayers, invoking the name of One who has promised to answer us.
I may be making an extreme statement here, but it’s almost like we would rather have an unbeliever suffer eternal judgment than risk offending him or her by mentioning the name of the only One in the entire universe who can prevent it.
Paul wrote, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes; first for the Jew, then for the Gentile” (Romans 1:16).