Calvin On Prayer -- Jesus Is Our Mediator and Intercessor

As Calvin begins to wrap up his discussion of prayer, he points out that all proper Christian prayer depends upon the intercession of Jesus, who ensures that our prayers are heard by the Father. This is why we are to pray to the Father only in the name of Jesus.

17. Prayer in the Name of Jesus

Calvin reminds us that in light of Christ’s intercession for his people, we can pray without shame or fear.

Since no man is worthy to present himself to God and come into his sight, the Heavenly Father himself, to free us at once from shame and fear, which might well have thrown our hearts into despair, has given us his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, to be our advocate [1 John 2:1] and mediator with him [1 Tim. 2:5; cf. Heb. 8:6 and 9:15], by whose guidance we may confidently come to him, and with such an intercessor, trusting nothing we ask in his name will be denied us, as nothing can be denied to him by the Father. And to this must be referred all that we previously taught about faith. For just as the promise commends Christ the Mediator to us, so, unless the hope of obtaining our requests depends upon him, it cuts itself off from the benefit of prayer.

The knowledge of Christ’s mediation and intercession on our behalf also keeps away any unwillingness to pray due to any sense of our unworthiness. We are not worthy, but Christ is!

For as soon as God’s dread majesty comes to mind, we cannot but tremble and be driven far away by the recognition of our own unworthiness, until Christ comes forward as intermediary, to change the throne of dreadful glory into the throne of grace. As the apostle also teaches how we should dare with all confidence to appear, to receive mercy, and to find grace in timely help [Heb. 4:16]. And as a rule has been established to call upon God, and a promise given that those who call upon him shall be heard, so too we are particularly bidden to call upon him in Christ’s name; and we have the promise made that we shall obtain what we have asked in his name. “Hitherto,” he says, “you have asked nothing in my name; ask and you will receive.” [John 16:24] “In that day you will ask in my name” [John 16:26], and “whatever you ask … I will do it that the Father may be glorified in the Son” [John 14:13].

This is why must always call upon God in the name of Jesus and none other

Hence it is incontrovertibly clear that those who call upon God in another name than that of Christ obstinately flout his commands and count his will as nought—indeed, have no promise of obtaining anything. Indeed, as Paul says, “all God’s promises find their yea and amen in him” [2 Cor. 1:20]. That is, they are confirmed and fulfilled.

Calvin, Institutes 3.20.17