Praying to Jesus
Question
I was recently told that is was not biblically warranted to pray directly to Jesus. Rather, I was told that Christians must pray to the Father through the Son in the power of the Holy Spirit. Is it ever permissable to pray directly to Jesus?
Answer
Yes, we can pray to Jesus. Jesus instructed his disciples to pray to him (John 14:14). Stephen, the first Christian martyr, prayed to Jesus (Acts 7:59), and his prayer is presented in an positive light. James instructed the elders to offer intercessory prayer to "the Lord" (Jam. 5:14-15; see also 5:4), which title he ascribed to Jesus (Jam. 1:1; 2:1). 1 Peter 3:12-15 speaks of the fact that the Lord Christ is attentive to our prayers.
Jesus is both Lord and God. And because he is God, it is right to pray to him and to worship him, just as it is right to pray to and worship the Father and the Holy Spirit. It is not the Father alone is to be worshiped and glorified. On the contrary, it is "God" who is to be worshiped and glorified. And God consists in three persons, all of whom are worthy of glory, honor and praise (which are types of prayer), and all of whom can hear our petitions and answer them.
Jesus is both Lord and God. And because he is God, it is right to pray to him and to worship him, just as it is right to pray to and worship the Father and the Holy Spirit. It is not the Father alone is to be worshiped and glorified. On the contrary, it is "God" who is to be worshiped and glorified. And God consists in three persons, all of whom are worthy of glory, honor and praise (which are types of prayer), and all of whom can hear our petitions and answer them.
Ra McLaughlin is Vice President of Finance and Administration at Third Millennium Ministries.
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