In Jesus’ name, Amen.
A rather bold statement isn’t it? I go before God having been saved by the death of Jesus, ask for stuff, and at the end tack on a “In Jesus’ name” just from habit. Think about it. When I pray I say what I have got to say, and at the end it always seems to be “In Jesus’ name” – even when it isn’t.
It seems all to hollow for my liking. Just attaching the name of our savior because we happen to be talking to God. Moreover, I remember all to vividly hearing of Jesus in the garden praying to God. “Not my will but yours be done.” That was a prayer of Jesus, so it must be in His name. This was a prayer about asking God for something. Pleading with God to avoid such a great pain. It was not about Jesus’ agenda but about His mission. Jesus’ name is not a signature to just inscribe upon the last words of a prayer.
If I pray in Jesus’ name, I commit myself to praying such a prayer that I would dare to name Jesus in it. Fallen and sinful as I am, I just spoke the name of God who was crucified for me to live. I spoke it to God in connecting with all that I have just said. And with a little rubber stamp, I signed “Jesus” at the bottom. Merely to name Jesus in praying is not a sign of a good or righteous prayer. Signaling the prayer’s end with “In Jesus’ name” does not get it an answer.
No, to pray in Jesus’ name is to pray in such a way as I would follow “Not my will but yours be done.” It is not a matter of words spoken but a heart submitted. If I am to pray in the name of Jesus, I had best pray like Jesus: not in words or actions, but in humility. God who became flesh. He who died out of His great love of us. He who cried out “Father forgive them for they do not know what they do.”
It is Him that I claim signs my prayers when I utter “In Jesus’ name.” I mention His holy work and His passionate service. In that same breath I speak of me, my thoughts and my desires. They are not worthy of so close a connection to Him. When I speak of Jesus and I speak of myself it makes all the clearer why He died, and it makes all the greater my debt unto His love.

~JCPunk