Who Are You Praying To? Understanding Prayer in Light of Jesus' Teachings

The interplay between praying to Jesus and also praying to the God of Israel, drawing from the scriptures to provide a comprehensive understanding of Christian prayer practices and how they align with the Original Testament.

Prayer is a fundamental aspect of many religious traditions, serving as a means of communication with the divine. For Christians, this practice often raises an intriguing question: If Jesus prayed to the GOD of Israel, should Christians also pray directly to HIM, or is it appropriate to pray to Jesus? In this blog post, we will explore this question by examining the teachings of Jesus and the practice of prayer within Christianity.

“Jesus looked up to Heaven and prayed "

The Nature of Prayer in Christianity

In Christianity, prayer is seen as an intimate dialogue with GOD. It can involve praise, thanksgiving, confession, and requests for guidance or assistance. Traditionally, Christians have prayed both to "God the Father" and to Jesus Christ, understanding them within the framework of the Holy Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. However, this raises a theological question: If Jesus, who is considered the Son of God, prayed to God the Father, should Christians follow that example?

Jesus' Example of Prayer

Jesus' own practice of prayer is well-documented in the New Testament. He frequently withdrew to pray alone, seeking communion with the GOD of Israel. This is evident in passages such as:

Luke 5:16:

"But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed."

Mark 1:35:

"Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed."

Matthew 26:39:

"Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, 'My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.'"

In these instances, Jesus is shown addressing the GOD of Israel as his "Father", indicating a clear distinction between himself and the GOD of Israel. Christians highlight this as a relationship within the Trinity: Jesus as the Son, and he prays to his "Father", embodying the model of prayer he taught his followers.

“‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name”

The Lord's Prayer

One of the most significant teachings on prayer from Jesus is the Lord's Prayer, found in Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:2-4. This prayer serves as a template for how Christians should approach God in prayer:

Matthew 6:9-13:

"‘This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’"

Jesus instructs his followers to address the GOD of Israel as "Our Father in heaven," focusing on a relationship with the GOD of Israel as a "Father" rather than praying directly to himself or the Holy Spirit. This prayer emphasizes reverence for the name of the GOD of Israel, the coming of His kingdom, and a dependence on Him for daily needs and spiritual guidance.

Praying to Jesus

While Jesus taught His followers to pray to the GOD of Israel, there are scriptures within the New Testament that may insinuate that it is acceptable to pray to Jesus. For example:

Acts 7:59:

"While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’"

1 Corinthians 16:22:

"If anyone does not love the Lord, let that person be cursed! Come, Lord!"

Revelation 22:20:

"He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus."

These examples imply that the early Christians acknowledged Jesus' divinity and saw him as integral to their faith and prayer life. They believed in his divine authority and his role as mediator between humanity and God. However, this does not annul Jesus' instruction to his followers to direct their prayers to the GOD of Israel and not to himself even though specific individuals are documented as not having done so.

Theological Understanding of the Trinity

To understand why Christians might pray to both Jesus and the GOD of Israel, it's important to consider the doctrine of the Trinity. Christianity teaches that God exists as three persons in one essence: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit. Each person of the Trinity is distinct yet fully God, and they work in unity. A person is a unique distinct individual, functioning independently of or beyond the experience of the others. This fact significantly challenges the concept of a triune Being and suggests the idea of polytheism, which is the worship of three distinct persons or entities.

Christians believe that when they pray to Jesus, they are praying to the GOD of Israel in an incarnate form, who continues to mediate their prayers to "God the Father". This understanding is rooted in passages such as:

John 14:13-14:

"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."

1 Timothy 2:5:

"For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus."

However, Jesus’ role as a mediator does not negate his instruction to direct prayers to "God the Father". One must consider the instruction of asking "in his name" is not the literal sense but the embodiment of the true indwelling spirit of Jesus. This state of existence does not need to be voiced for it is the true spirit of Jesus addressing "God the Father" in prayer.

The question of who to pray to—Jesus or the GOD of Israel—invites deeper exploration into Christian theology and the nature of prayer. Jesus’ example and teaching guide Christians to pray to the GOD of Israel, emphasizing a relationship grounded in reverence and submission to HIS will.

For Christians, it is crucial to prioritize the teachings of the New Testament scriptures regarding figures of authority. In this context, Jesus provides guidance to His disciples on how to engage with and have fellowship with the God of Israel. This guidance should be given precedence over the actions of individuals documented as acting contrary to His teachings and commands.

Gaining a clearer understanding of the nature and character of the GOD of Israel can significantly enhance our grasp of Jesus' teachings about HIM. This deeper insight helps us better appreciate the principles Jesus conveyed regarding how we should approach GOD in prayer and what is considered acceptable to HIM. Understanding HIS nature and attributes as revealed in the Original Testament informs how we interpret Jesus' instructions on prayer, aligning our practices with HIS expectations and fostering a more authentic and respectful relationship with the GOD of Israel.