“‘Father, glorify your name.’ Then a voice came from heaven: ‘I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.’” (John 12:28)

The prayer of Jesus, “Father, glorify your name,” was immediately followed by the response from heaven, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” The desire of the Son was so excellent and so pleasing to the Father that He could not keep silent about it.

What is the meaning and significance of these divine words? The works that the Son did in dependence glorified the Father. This was also the case with the raising of Lazarus. Therefore, the Father gave His Son the firm promise that He would answer His request and glorify Himself again. But how was this going to happen? By raising Him from the deadin the power of His own glory (see Rom. 6:4). He did not allow His Holy One to see corruption (see Ps. 16:10)!

The resurrection of the Lord Jesus is of fundamental importance to every believer. Why? First, because it’s the divine proof that all our sins are truly atoned for, and second, because His resurrection includes the spiritual raising of all those who believe in Him (see Eph. 2:4–5)! It is not without reason that the Victor of Golgotha—“the last Adam” (1 Cor.15:45)—on the day of His resurrection, immediately went to see His disciples and communicated His resurrection life to them by breathing into them (see John 20:22).

The Lord Jesus said a short, devoted prayer and received a clear answer. We too are not heard for the sake of our many words (see Mt. 6:7), but only because we ask for things in accordance with the will of God. If we make the exaltation of the Father our primary concern, and subjugate our personal wishes to that, all things will be in their proper place. When the Lord Jesus taught His disciples to pray, the first request He presented to them was, “Our Father in heaven, hallowedbe your name” (Mt. 6:9). When we pray with this attitude, we can trust that we are praying in the name of Jesus—and in this way, He who hears prayer is glorified (see John 14:13; Ps. 65:2).

When was the last time you thought about your motivation to pray for something? How dedicated are you in longing for God to be glorified through your life? Remember that prayer is not necessarily about many or beautiful words, but rather about the right attitude and desire of your heart!