For Christians?

Question

Will my prayer still work if I use the word "God" instead of "father" Jesus encouraged his followers to say "Father"

Answer 1

Yes. Pray with a sincere and open heart and God will still hear your prayer even if you call Him "Herman."

Answer 2

It's not a magic spell or something. Use whatever name comes natural to you to use--prayer is you talking to Him.
I will point out that when Jesus used the word God on the cross, it was when they were separated by the sins of the world "My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?", so there is at least the suggestion that the term God implies not as close a relationship as Father. I often use the term Lord when praying--that term helps me understand and convey the concept of the Trinity better as I feel it is more comprehensive of both God the Father and Jesus the Son, but that is just what works for me. There is no one right answer; keep studying His Word, keep praying, and keep learning more about Him through worship and fellowship with other strong believers, and I believe your prayers will get stronger as they come from your heart, not some certain names or words you may think you have to say.

Do look at the Model Prayer of Jesus as an example of the way we should pray, though not necessarily the exact words we recite. There are different types of prayer included in it, and we should be praying all of these types if not in the same prayer, then at least regularly and consistently.

Praise & Awe
Thanksgiving
Supplication (Asking)
Forgiveness
Guidance (Seeking His Will)

Each time you pray you should be praising Him for who He is, thanking Him for specific recent blessings, praying for forgiveness of sin, and asking Him to guide you in your daily life. The words won't always be exactly the same because your daily circumstances will change, but those categories are the important ones to include--not just asking Him to grant your reuqests.

I believe the Bible also teaches us to pray in the name of Jesus. He is our High Priest and Intercessor with God, and if we make our prayers through Him and in His name, we are asking for His blessing and power to be included in our prayer. Most Christians will close a prayer with a phrase similar to "In Jesus name, Amen". It's like saying, so be it according to Jesus.

Answer 3

Yes.

God the Father knows that you are only human. As long as you pray to Him, your answer will come.

Make sure you pray to the Father and end it in Jesus' name, so that you know for a fact that your prayer has gone to the right place and so you know in whose powerful name you are claiming the healing, prosperity or anything else you need.

Answer 4

The scriptures teach that, for the believer, it is not even necessary to use words when praying. Grunts and unintelligible noises are interpreted by the Holy Spirit.

If it was a requirement to use words in order for prayers to be heard by God and answered by Him, then mute people would be lost forever, not even able to pray the "sinner's prayer", and they are not lost.

Answer 5

We dont pray to get it to "work"!

We pray to align ourselves with the REVEALED will of God found in His Word. He doesn't really CARE what you call Him, but He DOES care that you pray according to His will. The only way you will know what His will IS, is to "study to show yourself approved unto God , a workman that doesnt need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth." 2 Tim 2:15

The prayer of "faith" found in the gospels is NOT WHAT WE ARE TO EXPECT in this age of GRACE. WE as the church which is His BODY , are not told to "ask whatever we desire and it will be done for us". Any true christian will tell you the reason this doesnt WORK today is because it wasn't a promise given to us, but to the Nation Israel in times PAST.

Today , we are told that Gods GRACE is sufficient, and that His power is made perfect in our weakness. As you can see, there is a vast difference.

Prayer is NOT getting God to do what WE want, but agreeing with Him and cooperating with HIS revealed plan and purpose in our lives.

He says He is "conforming us to the image of His Son."

Answer 6

Well, your prayer won't "work" no matter what name you use. If you're trying to get something from God you haven't learned what prayer is all about. Get back to the scriptures, study and pray for wisdom

Answer 7

There is no script regarding prayer, no strict guidelines. Prayer is your own sacred time with God. You need not worry in which way you address him, or how many "big" words your prayer has. It should come from the heart.

Answer 8

Blasphemy. Nice. I love it so much and by the way GOD can decipher the difference between god and the father and as long as your prayer wasn't flippancy, it'll get through just fine.

Answer 9

Yes of course, as long as your prayer is sincere!
Sometimes you also have to be patient. Our prayers arent always answered when wew ant them to be answered, but often when God feels is the right time for them to be answered.
So be patient.

Answer 10

As long as you are praying in Jesus' name, He will hear your prayer. That doesn't mean that He will answer the way you want Him too, just that He will hear it.

Answer 11

On what grounds are you saying your prayers 'work' in the first place.