Did Jesus Teach Us to Pray to Him or to the Father?

Concerning God the Father and prayer

"You hear prayers; all people approach you." Ps. 65:2

I read a question from someone, and since that time it has made me to really think about it even though I had come up with a rough idea.  The question posed was this:

 In John chapter 14:13-14 Jesus says, “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it." If Jesus is a mere man, how can he hear and answer the prayers of millions of people? The only way this can be done is if Jesus is omniscient and omnipotent!

We have to look at that question more carefully.  It is assumed that Jesus taught his disciples to pray to him.  Jesus always taught his disciples to pray to the Father.  Jesus says,

“But whenever you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you…for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. So pray this way: Our Father in heaven…” (Matt. 6:8-9)

In Acts 4 the apostles are arrested and facing the council for healing a blind man.  In verse 2 they lift their voices and begin praying to the Lord God, not to Jesus.

“When they heard it, they raised their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth, the sea, and everything in them,”

As we continue to read they are still praying to the Father, and make a distinction between the Lord and His Messiah.

The kings of the earth took their stand, and the rulers have gathered together against the Lord and against his Messiah.’ (v. 26)

The same continues:

“For indeed both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, assembled together in this city against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed…” (v. 27)

“And now, Lord [still praying to the Father], pay attention to their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your message with great courage, while you extend your hand to heal, and to bring about miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”  (vv. 29-30)

In scripture people prayed to the Lord God.  If the disciples believed Jesus was God, they would not have referred to Jesus as God’s servant, whom God anointed, while praying to the Lord God.

Throughout the NT Jesus teaches that we should pray to the Father just as he prayed to God his Father (Ex. Luke 6:12; Luke 23:34; John 17:1; Heb. 5:7)

While  Jesus was on this earth he prayed for the needs of others.  Like Martha, she knew that whatever Jesus requested of the Father, he would do (John 11:21,22).  And his ministry, under the new covenant, is still to intercede for us. (Heb. 8:6; Heb. 7:25; Roman 8:34; John 16:7; John 14:16).  

When we enter our private place to pray, Jesus says to pray to the Father.

“But whenever you go to pray, go into your private room, close the door, and pray to your Father who is present in that secret place; and your Father who sees you in secret will reward you.”  (Matt. 6:6)

“So, don’t be like them, because your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.  So this is the way you should pray: Our Father in heaven….”  (Matt. 6:8,9)

“Again, I assure you that if two of you on earth are in agreement concerning something you ask for, my Father in heaven will do it for you.” (Matt. 18:19)

“So if you, in spite of being degenerate, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give holy spirit to those who keep asking Him!” [“Him” = the Father.] “Now won’t God certainly give justice to His chosen ones when they are crying out to Him day and night?  Will He make them wait long? I’m telling you, He will give them justice speedily.” (Luke 18:7-8)

Notice how Jesus is always guiding us to the Father. Because of Jesus, we can go straight to the throne room of God Almighty!

“Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens – Jesus, God’s Son….Let’s then with confidence draw near to the throne of divine favour, that we may receive mercy and find gracious favour for help when needed.”  (Heb. 4:14, 16) 

“because through him we both have access in the one spirit to the Father.”  (Eph 2:18)

“It is because of him [Jesus], and through his faithfulness, that we have bold and confident access to God.”  (Eph. 4:12)

“For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name…” (Eph. 4:14)

In the Hebrew scriptures (Old Testament) the people were able to approach God through praise, worship and animal sacrifices. (see for example Ps. 92-100)  Because of Jesus the Messiah we have a new and living way to approach God the Father. 

“So, then, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by means of the blood of Jesus, through the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great high priest over the house of God, let us approach God with a sincere heart in the full assurance that is brought by faith… (Heb. 10:19-22)

Jesus taught us that God the Father is the source of all he did and said (John 5:30-31; 6:32; 7:16). Notice too that while Jesus was on this earth he never taught his disciple to pray in his name, but always instructed them to pray to the Father. (Matt. 6:6-9; Luke 11:1-2) The time that they would pray to the Father in his name wasn't until after his death and resurrection, for a testament ("will") is not in force until after the death of the testator (Heb. 9:15-16).  Near the end of Jesus’ ministry he told his disciples,

“No longer do I call you bond-servants, because the bond-servant doesn’t know his master’s business affairs; but I have called you friends, because I have revealed to you everything I heard from my Father.  You did not choose me, I chose you; and commissioned you to go and produce fruit – fruit that remains, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name He will give you.” (John 13:15-16)

Notice what Jesus says where it concerns prayer after his resurrection.  Note “On that day.”

“On that day you won’t ask me any questions; but I can absolutely assure you that whatever you request of the Father in my name He will give it to you.  Up to now you haven’t requested anything in my name.  Keep asking and you will receive it, so that your joy many be complete.  I have told you these things in enigmatic figures of speech, but an hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in obscure figurative language, but will tell you plainly about the Father.  On that day you will ask in my name.  I am not saying that I will have to ask the Father on your behalf, because the Father Himself loves you.  He loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.  I came from the Father and have come into the world; and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.  ‘See, now you are speaking plainly,’ his disciples said, ‘and not in obscure figures of speech!’”    John 16:23-29

These things begin to be so clear once we let go of the trinity teaching, because that awful doctrine holds us captive by giving total worship and prayer to Jesus to the exclusion of God our Father.  God the Father has lost his rightful place in the minds of those who would confuse Him with His Son. 

Remember the question above when asked about praying in Jesus’ name?  “If Jesus is a mere man, how can he hear and answer the prayers of millions of people? The only way this can be done is if Jesus is omniscient and omnipotent!”  That conclusion came from a person who believes Jesus is God (reason for the "mere man" remark) and his reasoning from the start is the premise that Jesus is God!  God the Father is shoved aside because He is replaced with His Son who many teach is God and Almighty Father! Jesus is worshipped as the supreme Almighty God, and most worship and prayers are addressed to him rather than God the Father as Jesus taught. 

Whether oneness or trinitarian, Jesus is not God Almighty, he is not the Father.  Think about it, many pray to Jesus and then end their prayer with, “In Jesus’ name.”  That doesn't make sense. And then some start their prayer to the Father and somewhere in their prayer they end up calling the Father “Jesus.” So much confusion!

Here is a sample of confusion when it comes to the Lord God and the Lord Jesus, the Messiah.  It is hard to distinguish which one the person is talking about.  Note the following of what this person wrote:

“Study the word to show yourself approved unto GOD. The word of God is quicker than any too edge sword. JESUS will listen, He is there... Be still and know that I am God, listen to Him. Wait upon the Lord and He will answer you in a still small voice. Receive from Him, for He is faithful, He is our refuge, He is our high priest, He is our mediator. JESUS being our intercessor, interceeds on our behalf always, He never slumbers or sleeps. He is our Lord, our God, our Saviour.  Praise God.”

Do you see the confusion?  This person has Jesus as God!  There is no distinction made there between the Father and the Son.  This is what the trinity doctrine does! This awful doctrine has merged Jesus and God into one being, which this merger has taken over a person's way of thinking.

What about Stephen?

There doesn't seem to be any account of anyone praying to Jesus after his ascension to the Father.  Some may point to Stephen from what he said just before being stoned to death. Note that he sees the glory of God AND Jesus standing at the right hand of God.  They are both together.

"But Stephen, full of holy spirit, gazed straight into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at God's right hand.  'Look!' he said.  'I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at God's right hand!'  (Acts 7:55-56)

It continues to say,

"And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." (v. 59)

When Stephen has his vision of seeing the Father and the Son of Man, he calls upon God and then commits his spirit (life, last breath) to his Lord Jesus.  Both are in view here. Some will say that "God" is not in any Greek texts.  This does not present any problems at all because all one has to do is go back and re-read the chapter and notice that he mentions "God" at least nineteen times and it never referred to Jesus the Messiah. In verse 37 he refers to Jesus as the "prophet" that God would "raise up" among them.  Jesus is also called the "just one" (v. 52).  All through the chapter Stephen makes a distinction between the Lord God and Jesus and never says they are one and the same.

In verse 60 Stephen says,

"Lord, don't hold this sin against them!"  When he had said this, he fell asleep [dead]."

The "Lord" Stephen is making the plea to is the Lord God.  What Stephen prayed was similar to what Jesus said when he was crucified, "Father, forgive them for they don't know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34). Throughout this chapter Stephen makes a clear distinction between the Lord (God the Father, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob), and His servant Jesus ("the just one," "the prophet like Moses," "holy servant").  This prayer is to God the Father who will judge, for God is the "judge of all" (Heb. 12:23). 

All one has to do is go through the New Testament and see how songs of praise, repentance, confessing, glory, thanksgiving, petitions, and prayers are to God.  The following is just a tiny example:

"And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them."  Act 16:25 

"Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ."  Act 20:21 

"And saying these things, and taking bread, he gave thanks to God before all; and breaking, he began to eat." Act 27:35

"And the brothers from there hearing about us, they came out to meet us, as far as the marketplace of Appius, and Three Taverns; whom Paul seeing, thanking God, he took courage."  Act 28:15 

"For it has been written, 'As I live, says the Lord, that every knee will bow to Me, and every tongue confess to God.'" Rom 14:11 

"But I exhort you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ, and by the love of the spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf,"  Rom 15:30 

"...in everything you being enriched to all sincerity, which works out thanksgiving to God through us." 2Co 9:11

 "I thank my God on all the remembrance of you, always in my every prayer on your behalf making my prayer with joy" Php 1:3-4

 "And my God will fill your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." Php 4:19 

"Now may glory be to our God and Father forever and ever. Amen."  Php 4:20  

"We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying continually about you," Col 1:3

 "I thank my God always making mention of you in my prayers, Phm 1:4

"But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask from God, who gives to all freely and with no reproach, and it will be given to him."  Jas 1:5

"... every act of good giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom is no change or shadow of turning." Jas 1:17 

I believe you get the idea.  There are many verses to show our prayers, thanksgiving, praise, etc., should be directed towards the Lord God, who is our Father, the one whom Jesus taught us to pray.  We can learn by his example.

What does Paul say?

"Do not be anxious about anything.  Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God.  And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."  (Phil. 4:6-7)

Paul did not say make your requests to Jesus, but to God.  The distinction is clear.

Do we want wisdom?  Who does James say to ask?

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally and it shall be given him" (James 1:5)

Directing our prayers to the Father as Jesus taught us to do does not degrade Jesus' position where the Father has highly exalted him and now sits at His right hand.  The Father recognizes those who pray in the name of His Son.

Jesus says in John 14:13-14, 

"And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  If you ask anything in my name, I will do it."

Jesus also said,

“No longer do I call you bond-servants, because the bond-servant doesn’t know his master’s business affairs; but I have called you friends, because I have revealed to you everything I heard from my Father.  You did not choose me, I chose you; and commissioned you to go and produce fruit – fruit that remains, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name He will give you.” (John 13:15-16) 

The vast majority of scriptures make it clear that God is the principal source of all things and that is what we must remember.  Christ is our head and the head of Christ is God. God should be our main focus of our worship, supplications, and praise.  Jesus would have it no other way, but many, because we have the teaching that Jesus is God, the practice of giving all praise, supplications and worship is given to Jesus as if he is God Almighty. Jesus' whole life was devoted to the glorification of his Father.

Praying in Jesus' name.

There are people who think that when they say a prayer and tack the wording at the end by saying, "In Jesus' name," that this is all that is needed for our prayers to be answered.

When we pray in "Jesus' name," it means he has given us the authority to use his name in prayer to the Father, for Jesus is our representative. Believers can gather together and it be in his name without having to use his name. (Matt. 18:19-20) When praying, we approach God under the authority of Jesus.  He is our high priest, always interceding for us, who is our advocate, and because of him we are able to go directly to God through him.  Our prayers should not be for our own selfish desires, but should reflect Jesus' values and purposes.  Should not our prayers be filled with the kingdom agenda of Jesus?  When we pray in Jesus' name, we are approaching God the Father in the authority of Jesus, and our desires should reflect the desires of Jesus.

Is it a sin to pray to Jesus? I don't see where it would be, but I do think that what has happened through the trinity teaching is that we have been misdirected to pray to Jesus to the exclusion of the Father, which should not be because Jesus taught us to pray to the Father.  He is our example as well as the apostles. Just look up the following verses and note how many times God is addressed.  (Acts 16:24; 17: 35; 28:15; Rom. 1:9-10, 10:1, 15:5-6, 15:13, 15:30, 16:25-27; 1 Cor. 1:4-9; 2 Cor. 1:3-5, 2:14, 9:12-15, 13:7-9; Eph. 1:15-23, 3:14-21; Phil. 1:9-11, 4:20; Col. 1:9-12; 1 Thess. 1:2-4, 2:13, 3:11-13, 5:23-24; 2 Thess. 1:11-12, 2:1-17, 3:5, 3:16; 1 Tim. 1:17, 6:13-17; 2 Tim. 1:3, 1:16-18, 4:14-18, Philemon 5-6).

All this may not sound like much to others, but for me it's so wonderful to learn a truth that I have been missing my whole life until a few months ago when I came out from under the trinity teaching. When I'm praying I now know I can go directly to the FATHER, knowing that it is actually the FATHER I am addressing through Jesus without the confusion of wondering if I am praying to God or Jesus as I did when I was under the trinity teaching since it teaches that Jesus is God.

"And may the God of patience and encouragement give to you to mind the same thing among one another according to Christ Jesus, that with one accord and with one mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of this, receive one another as Christ also received us, to the glory of God."  (Rom. 15:5-7)

"Every generous and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father..." (James 1:17)

"And my God shall supply all your needs out of His glorious riches which have been given to us through Christ Jesus." (Phil. 4:19)