How many times have we heard someone use the name of Jesus to end a prayer. The thought seems to be that if we close the prayer with “In Jesus Name”, that somehow will make God listen better and make him respond to us. But is that how it works? more to come.

There seems to be a way of thinking nowadays that thinks that we are to ask God for help by closing our eyes and speaking to God, either silently or out loud. Then ask God in our mind or with our voice for help. Some people may "pray" in this way for days, weeks, months, or many years, often with no affect.

I was recently at a meeting of Christians who were praying. On of the women there prayed this in her prayer:

"I pray that everything might turn out the way that God wants it to turn out."

I wondered why she said that and if she realized the implications of her prayer. Stop a minute and think about it. Ask yourself what that prayer might mean. Did she think that things wouldn't turn out like God wants unless she prayed that? Did she think that she was helping God by praying that type of prayer?