“In Jesus’ Name” Scripture: John 14:12–14 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 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. John 14:12-14 1. The Great Anxiety: “Are we being set up to ?” The context of the Last Supper: A succession crisis. The pressure of expectations vs. resources. Jesus’s Answer: Departure is not abandonment; it is empowerment. 2. The of Prayer (v. 12) Prayer shapes the unfolding of history “Greater Works”: Not just miracles, but a global scope of love and service. Avoiding the “Genie in a Bottle” fallacy. 3. The We Pray To (v. 13–14) His Name, His : Acting with “Power of Attorney” for the King. His Name, His : Trusting a Father who gives what is good, not just what is requested. His Name, His : Abandoning our entitlement to stand on His righteousness. 4. The Purpose of Prayer: Union Prayer is not just a tool for chores; it is an invitation to a relationship. Like a child on a father's lap: God draws us into His work for our joy. The Gracepoint Call: From Preservation to Rejecting the “Victim Mindset” and "Golden Era" nostalgia. Moving from "futility” to “persistance” in prayer. Reflection & Discussion Questions Looking Inward When you think about your personal prayer life, do you feel more guilt (I should do it more) or frustration (I do it, but nothing happens)? Why? Jesus tells the disciples they will do “greater works” than Him. When you look at your own life or our church, does that feel like a reality or an exaggeration? Reflect on the “Credit Card/Ferrari” illustration. Can you think of a time God said "No" to a prayer that you are now thankful for? Digging Deeper What does it mean to you practically to pray “in Jesus’ Name” rather than your own? How does that change your confidence when you pray? Read James 4:2–3. How does the “Ambassador” or "Power of Attorney" metaphor help us understand why some of our prayers seem to go unanswered? How does the idea of “Union with God” (the lawn mower illustration) change your motivation to pray? Is prayer a "duty" to perform or an “invitation” to join in? Gracepoint & The Mission Discuss the “Pray First” survey question. On a scale of 1–10, how much do we as a community actually "pray first" before making decisions? Why is it so tempting for a church to slip into a “preservation mindset” (trying to keep what we have) rather than a "growth mindset"? Do you pray for Gracepoint? What would it look like to pray for the future of our church “in Jesus’ name”? Action Step: What is one “impossible” kingdom-focused thing you are going to commit to praying for this week—not for your own comfort, but for God’s glory in our community?