A Moment of Grace

How She Got Me!

Posted on January 23, 2012     8 Comments

“I need financial help,” she wrote in a letter to me. “I’m living in a foreign country, I have no income, and no way to support myself. Please send me some money.” Her need was real, but I had already decided that I couldn’t help everybody who requested my assistance during the Liberian civil war. They were too many and my resources too little. I could only do so much, and at that time, I was certain I could afford to do no more.

But midway into her letter she did something that changed the outcome for her. She invoked the name of my mother. “Darlingston,” she said, “remember, my late mother and your mother were like sisters.” And that’s how she got me!

I was very aware of how close my mother and her mother were. Indeed, they were best of friends. I remembered how sad my mother was when her best friend died. And how sad I was that night to see my mother cry so hard.

I could no longer ignore her request for assistance. After all, she was the daughter of my mother’s best friend, a woman my mother loved with all her heart; and I knew what my mother would want me to do. To say no to this lady’s cry for help now would be to say no to my mother’s cry for help. And that I could never do! That week, she received the money she asked for.

Now, that’s what praying in the name of Jesus is like. When we ask God for help and we humbly, but wisely, invoke the name of Jesus, He cannot ignore our request. To say no to our cry for help would be to say no to His Son’s cry for help. And that God would never do! After all, we are the covenant brothers and sisters of His beloved Son, our best friend, whom He loves with all His heart. And God knows what His Son would have Him do for us.

That young lady “got” me as she invoked the name of my beloved mother. And in the same way, you will touch God every time, as you invoke the name of His beloved Son.

Listen to Jesus’ own words:

“In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name…He himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.” (John 16:23, 27 TNIV)

So, when you approach the Father to ask for help, don’t come saying, “Did You see how long I prayed last week, Father, and all the good works I did? Two hours everyday in prayer, eighteen chapters read, ten people witnessed to. On that basis, I come to You with these requests, and I’m sure You’ll give them to me.” No, come simply on the basis of the name you’ve been given the privilege to use, the name of Jesus.

Invoke that special love the Father has for Jesus and Jesus has for you when you pray. And then, after you’ve made your request in His name, expect a favorable outcome!

Blessings,
Bishop Johnson