Jesus predicted his death and resurrection.
Click here for an online Bible John 16:16-24
Jesus said that soon the disciples would not see him anymore, but then in a little while they would see him again. He is predicting his death and resurrection. The disciples did not understand, but instead of asking Jesus, they asked each other. I suspect that they were afraid to ask Jesus because it seems like every time they asked him something, he gave them an answer that was impossible to understand. However, Jesus knew what they were thinking and answers for them. He used the same kind of language though. He said that they would be sad, but then sadness would turn to joy.
Jesus predicted a new kind of relationship with him. Up till now they had asked him for things. They had not asked God in the name of Jesus. Soon they would ask God directly, but they would do so in the name of Jesus. He promised that God would respond to their prayers.
This is a picture of how prayer interacts with the Trinitarian nature of God. We pray to God the Father. We pray in the name of Jesus - God the Son. The only reason we have the authority to approach God is because Jesus has given us access. We pray in the power of God the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit guides us in our prayers.
Remember that prayer is more than just telling God what we want. Prayer is communication within a relationship. We should be transformed by prayer.
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The name given to God is Christ Jesus, we've read that just as plan as can be, now. When Christ came in the flesh as the Son of Man, He existed before He came in the flesh, we can talk about the body, but that body was just as much God because not only was it begotten by the Holy Spirit, which is of God and God, but that Holy Spirit, God, was poured into the body and that body like a puppet (but better than that) did whatever was shown to Him.
You see, Christ Jesus is the name of God. There is a body, but that body is empty apart from God, that's the goal my friends. When we pray, we don't pray, just as there is no hope apart from the Holy Spirit for me to explain this such that you receive it, the Holy Spirit prays, and unless we yield to that spirit we pray in vain. You see, the Holy Spirit is God, and I AM because of the Holy Spirit working in me. I believe on the Holy Spirit and I can refer to the Holy Spirit by name, Christ Jesus. That same body that was offered up for my sins will return and I AM going to return with it. That body which we call, Christ Jesus is not just a body. Christ Jesus is the name of God.
You see, the disciples talked to the body the whole time the body was present, asked a bunch of things of that body, but that body would just use the NAME, Christ Jesus, I AM, to ask the Father. But Jesus, that is God, said by the Holy Spirit that is God, in answering any question of authority, or by what power you do what you ask to do, to use This Name, Christ Jesus, and it will be done for you.
We have a name of our God! a name not given by Adam. For God had placed all of creation before Adam to see what he would call it, but Adam did not give a name for our God. When Moses asked who shall I say sent me, God said say I AM who I AM. But Moses couldn't say it write. So, God keep trying on down through all the prophets and kings and teachers of the law. Every last one got it wrong -- from Adam to Mary, but then our Savior was born and He did it. He gave us a name to call upon the Almighty a name above all names for which we can ask and it shall be done. God made it so simple for us. Now, let us use that name and be blessed.
Christ Jesus
Proper prayer, for me anyway, always takes a consistency to develop. When I am slacking my prayers seem to shift more toward what God can do for me and it takes a conscience effort to direct them to make them God centered. But, the good news is when I am in this regular prayer, it seems to shift away from me. I sort of fade into the background of my own prayers and God, through the Spirit can better direct my thoughts, concerns, outlook, goals, etc.
I'm not sure if I explained this well enough but just reflecting on my own prayer life.
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