Pray to the Father in Jesus’ Name
The Bible teaches that the believers should pray to the Father in Jesus’ name: “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name” (Matthew 6:9). God would supply the believers’ every need and honor the petitions lodged before the throne in the name of Jesus. “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it” (John 14:13,14).
The fact that men are to pray to the Father in the name of Jesus, but that Jesus is the one who brings about the answer, illustrates the oneness of the Son with the Father. The Father is said to answer the petitions presented before Him. Jesus taught, “whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you” (John 15:16). And he repeated the same message in John 16:23.
The Father’s Infinite Love
Believers should address the Father in their prayers because of His great sacrifice. The supreme expression of divine love is the Father’s gift of His own Son. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Through Christ, it becomes possible for us to be “called the sons of God” (1 John 3:1).
Also, when we pray to the Father we acknowledge our son-ship to Him. We may be unworthy to address Him as “Father,” but whenever we do so in sincerity, He receives us with rejoicing (Luke 15:21–24) and acknowledges us as His sons indeed.
There is one example in the Bible where Stephen prayed to Jesus when he was getting stoned. He prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit” (Acts 7:59). The reason he addressed his prayer to Jesus because he saw Jesus. And he said, “I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God” (verse 56).
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
