...and say "Dear God..." who are we praying to? Jesus? God the father? Or the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit together?
2007-04-15 11:44:02 · 12 answers · asked by Petina 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I believe it is proper to pray to the Father, the Son or the Holy Spirit.
Jesus said: "Pray in this way: "Our Father..."; (Matthew 6:9ff) and again in John He says:
"In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.
"Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father. In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father." (John 16:23-28)
So we see the normal pattern is to pray to the Father in the name of Jesus.
However we do see prayer being offered to Jesus in the Scripture. At the stoning of Stephen we find this:
"But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. "Look," he said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."
At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.
While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep." (Acts 7:55-60)
2007-04-15 12:03:10 · answer #1 · answered by wefmeister 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Father--Even Jesus prayed to Him
2007-04-15 18:47:27 · answer #2 · answered by Elder 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
"To God the Father, through Jesus Christ Our Lord, in the power of the Holy Spirit."
Basic Christian Prayer 101
2007-04-15 18:48:33 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God, for things agreeable to his will, in the name of Christ, with confession of our sins, and thankful acknowledgment of His mercies.
We have no access to God except through the one and only Mediator and Intercessor Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, we call on the heavenly Father through Christ, our only Mediator, as we are taught by the Lord's Prayer, being assured that we shall obtain all we ask of the Father in his name.
2007-04-15 19:48:26 · answer #4 · answered by Steve 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In my opinion, Christians generally believe in the Holy Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit being One).... So, in that case, you would be praying to them all. However, I will state that not all people do believe in the Trinity and as such, it would depend for that person who they felt they were praying to when they said that, but my guess would be the Father for them.
2007-04-15 18:48:12 · answer #5 · answered by RotundSwede 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
God the Father, through Jesus Christ.
You cannot get to God except through Jesus, no saints, no Virgin Mary, only Jesus.
Jesus is Lord
2007-04-15 18:48:40 · answer #6 · answered by carpentershammerer 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The Holy Trinity. Where One is, you will find the others. One God in three divine persons.
2007-04-15 18:48:27 · answer #7 · answered by Augustine 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm about to step on thin Ice...but I will take a shot. Without my flesh you would not be able to see my spirit. If you were to talk to me, you would see my flesh, but you would know that I am inhabited by a spirit and a soul. Our flesh would be what makes it possible for us to talk to each other. When we sinned it separated us from God. Christ paid the price and his death in the flesh made it possible for us to be alive in the spirit...we can talk to God personally instead through prophets and priests. (this is why the curtain tore down the center when Christ died) Our flesh is tainted. Christ flesh isn't so he can reside in the presence of his Father. When we speak to God we are speaking to all three for they are three in one. We are three in one. (Flesh,soul,spirit=and min were all tainted before I accepted Christ.) I have to be careful to not put my faith in what I know...or think I know. It is by grace that we are saved...not by works so no man can boast....I think I'm finished...
2007-04-15 18:56:31 · answer #8 · answered by Judetnu 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
GOD Thur his son Jesus Christ. Remember Jesus said what ever you ask the father ask it in my name.
2007-04-15 18:48:44 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
One should be praying to God.
Jesus is not god.
Nor is the Holy Spirit (Ghost).
God is Yahweh ....or Jehovah if you wish the English translation.
Pray only to him
2007-04-15 18:51:47 · answer #10 · answered by Uncle Thesis 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋