Fundamental Friday – Prayer
Something has been on my mind lately that I would like to try here on Serious Things. Once a week on “Fundamental Friday”, let us address a question that enables believers to reason together and discuss some fundamentals.
Either it will flop or we will get some good food to chew on. If you have any questions you would like to see discussed, hit me up via the contact me form from the About menu. Without further delay, here we go..
Fundamental Friday Question
When praying, who do we pray to? The Father, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit? Please provide scriptural references for your answer.
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When I did a search in the Old testament for all scripture that has the word “prayer”, I have found that the majority of prayer references referred to “LORD God”. Others used each word separately. I would guesstimate that 80+% of references were “LORD God”
These words are [email protected] (LORD) and Elohyim (God):
[email protected] yeh-ho-vaw’ – (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God:–Jehovah, the Lord.
elohiym el-o-heem’
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative:–angels, X exceeding, God (gods)(-dess, -ly), X (very) great, judges, X mighty.
Then, as I looked at “prayer” in the New Testament, something amazing changed. In scripture with the word “prayer”, whereas a name of God was present (Lord or God), 100% used “God” (Elohyim).
What is also interesting is the reference to “LORD” in the New Testament. 80+% of the scriptures refer to Jesus. :)
Matthew 8:25 And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. (Is this not a prayer?) Amen.
The other 20 or so %? Before Jesus was born, “Angel of the Lord”. After Jesus was born, Jesus used the phrase Lord thy God.
Some NT scripture from Jesus:
John 14:13-14 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 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
John 16:23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
Other NT scripture:
Acts 7:59-60 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Jesus also taught to pray to the Father, “Our Father, who art in heaven..”
The way I am seeing this is that when Jesus walked the earth, they prayed to Him – “Lord”. He and the Father are One. Jesus taught us to pray to the Father, in His name.
As far as praying to the Holy Spirit, there are not enough scriptural references for me to comment. When Jesus said He will send us our Helper and Comforter, who will be our Guide.. I personally pray to the Spirit, “guide me Guider, help me Helper, comfort me Comforter, in Jesus name.” :)
Thus, my personal conclusion and actions are derived from a mentality that it doesn’t matter. I make petitions known to Father God, to Lord Jesus, and to the Holy Spirit, in the name of all righteousness, Jesus Christ (Only through the blood of Christ.) They are all of One Spirit – The Lord God Almighty.
Dear Joseph….
Thank you.These days lots of comments on Afghanistan cross roads are also about God, Before Jesus in the New Testimony it was Always God and angels.
Now we have indwelling spirit in us that we can listen to. Jesus was doing all the miracles through the spirit of God. At the end Jesus gave his spirit to God. The God is the one who sit on the throne of praises.
I was a Buddhist and a Idol worshiper. Never was in peace but facing disasters one after another. when prayed to god I was in a bangle of light and it comforted me. After that God appeared to me in a dream. I was dying in a dark tunnel .Going inside it with rotation in a high speed. So frightened. At the end of it there was this figure. Wearing a Brilliant white robe. One shoulder was barren. Had raise his right hand towards me. Face was more brighter than the sun and his feet were like silver swords. (Flashing ) I was not scared anymore but out of it.
I had not read a bible then. when I read the Bible later I came to know it was God.
Then I saw the same figure again .It was crystal blue Sky and the Ocean and yellow sand without any litter. The same figure was standing. But this time I saw the Back of the figure.
Both days..I was going through sadness when I saw God the comforter and most trustworthy and most beautiful.
My God exist. There after he revealed things and proved he is more powerful than any witch or palm readers and others.
I am free from sin because of God”s divine mercy.
May God”s peace be with you !!
Deepani
Hallelujah brother! That’s a great testimony. Thanks for sharing! May God’s peace be with you also. The Prince of Peace!
Thanks Joseph. After reading your posts I feel like keeping a journal for my self as I have had many miracle in my life after I cam to know Lord. I HAVE LOT TO SAY.
Till next time.
thanks for stopping by. Honor and glory to God for these things. Personally, I prayed and asked God “Why me? What am I to do?” and He said “reveal what I reveal to you”. Thus, I started to share on this blog and with others as situations arise.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting. It’s edifying and helps encourage. I appreciate it, God bless.