Christian Living

ADDRESSING PRAYER

by paul hoffmaster
03/07/21
Free to Share

  Message Writer
  Hire Writer

Tweet

There seems to be some confusion as to whom Believers are to address in their prayers.   Do we pray directly to God or to Jesus?  Is the Holy Spirit ever addressed in our prayers?  Once again we must go to the Scriptures to find the answer.  Here is where Christians interpret their findings according to traditions instead of the actual intent of the Word.  On this subject, the Bible comes under loose scrutiny.  Taking Scriptures that support one’s viewpoint, while at the same time neglecting the setting and circumstances in which that word was given, leads to confusion.  During the last few weeks of Jesus’ ministry He stressed the importance of the Disciples asking Him for things that would help them achieve God’s purposes.  He told them that whatever they would ask Him He would honor in order to glorify God. (John 14:13, 14)  Jesus reiterated the same thing a few moments later by telling them if they would abide in Him and His words, they could ask what they willed and it would be given to them. (John 15:7)  The purpose of the requests was to equip them to bring honor and glory unto God.  To miss the intent of these verses is to elevate the Believer to a self-centered Faith.  Everything that is requested today needs to be centered on God getting the honor and glory.  Note that the Disciple’s requests were made directly to Jesus and He responded accordingly.

Jesus told them that they had not asked Him for anything up to that last week in His life.  He stressed to them that after His resurrection they could directly petition God, but it had to be through His name.  Jesus said that whatever they asked the Father in His name, God would give it to them. (John 16:23, 24)  Jesus made it clear that they had not volunteered to be His Disciples, rather He had chosen them.  They were picked to bear fruit that would be preserved eternally in Heaven.  To help them in their “harvesting,” they could ask the Father in His name and God would give it to them. (John 15:16)

To whom do we address our prayers?  Jesus’ ministry was to reconcile the “fallen” to the forgiveness of God.  He stressed again and again that He was not on a self-serving crusade but to do the will of His Father. (John 5:30)  Our prayer should be to God through Jesus.  The Believer can have a conversation with Jesus, but the petitions should be to God through His name.  The Holy Spirit can also be addressed while understanding that He is the revealer of the very heart of God.  What I just shared is not a Biblically legal manifesto but a guideline to understanding how to pray Biblically.  No matter how you pray, God knows your heart and intent.  If you pray to Jesus your prayers will still be heard.  God looks at the intent of the petitioner and responds appropriately. 

However we pray let us realize it is not what we want but what God desires from us.  Let us seek from Him whatever is necessary for us to carry out His purposes and plans.