For as long as I can remember, I’ve had an “Emily Post Book of Manners and Etiquette” on my bookshelf. Maybe everyone else does, too, but it’s an essential part of growing up in the South. The first part of my book covers introductions and addressing others in conversation and in written communication. What are the rules for when to address someone as Miss / Mrs / Mr versus their first name? How do you properly address an envelope?
These social rules for how we address each other now come almost naturally after so many years of practice and instruction from my mother. But, what about the rules for how we address God in prayer? Is there any such guidebook? What is the right way to pray? Are we praying to God or Jesus? What about the Holy Spirit, Mary, and the Saints?
Should we pray to God or Jesus or the Holy Spirit?
Praying to God the Father
Jesus taught us to pray to God the Father in Matthew 6. Most examples of prayer in the Bible are prayers directly addressed to God.
“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen.” (Matthew 6:6 NIV)
We don’t go wrong when we pray directly to God the Father. He is our Creator and the one we should worship. Through Jesus, we have direct access to God. He’s not limited to just priests and prophets, but is accessible to each of us.
Praying through Jesus the Son
Jesus is the son of God. Fully divine, yet came to earth and was fully human for a time. Jesus died to give us salvation and to give us this unrestricted access to the Father.
We can also pray to Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Jesus tells us in John 14:14, “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” We see examples of the early church praying to Jesus. In fact, many of Paul’s prayers are addressed to Jesus.
I’ve struggled with this idea of praying to Jesus and how to decide when to address a prayer to God versus Jesus. It’s only in recent years as I’ve studied more of Jesus and come to know him better that I’ve felt comfortable praying to him.
When I need to address my prayers to my teacher, my savior, the one who’s walked on this earth and knows firsthand my struggles, then I pray to Jesus.
When I’m praising and worshipping, asking forgiveness and accepting grace, asking for guidance or praying for the needs of others, I usually pray to God.
Praying in the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit has a unique role in prayer. The Holy Spirit intercedes for us, helps us pray, and even prays for us when we don’t have the words.
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. (Romans 8:26 NIV)
We are called to pray “in the Spirit,” calling on the Holy Spirit to help us pray and help us know what to pray.
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. (Ephesians 6:18 NIV)
When I’m struggling to find the words to pray, unable to articulate my deepest prayer needs, I call on the Holy Spirit. When I’m stepping out in faith, taking a next step toward where God is calling, I call on the Holy Spirit for guidance and support. When I’m praying with others and the needs are great, I call on the Holy Spirit to intercede and help us pray.
Come, Holy Spirit, Come!
What about praying to Mary and the Saints?
I think this is widely misunderstood, so here’s my take on it. People who pray to Mary and the Saints are not praying to them in worship, but as intercessors. Much like you ask friends to pray for you and with you, people pray to Mary and the Saints in the same way. It’s like reaching out to your most faithful and prayerful friend to ask for prayer.
What are your thoughts?
I’m not a theology expert, so I’m only presenting my personal beliefs. I know this topic can be full of debate across various faith traditions, so I’d love to hear your thoughts. To whom do you address your prayers – and why?
PRAY DEEP CHALLENGE: Journal your thoughts about to whom do you pray. What is your feeling about praying to God versus Jesus? How do you pray in the Spirit? Try praying to God and Jesus, calling on the Holy Spirit to guide your prayers.
Resources:
Like this post? Explore this and other forms of prayer through the Pray Deep prayer journals. Each book will lead you through a variety of prayer methods through 21 days of focused prayers. Get started with one today!
{These are affiliate links – and my own books – so any purchases help grow and sustain this blog.}
Do You Pray to God or Jesus or the Holy Spirit? – Prayer & Possibilities
These social rules for how we address each other now come almost naturally after so many years of practice and instruction from my mother. But, what about the rules for how we address God in prayer? Is there any such guidebook? What is the right way to pray? Are we praying to God or Jesus? What about the Holy Spirit, Mary, and the Saints?
Should we pray to God or Jesus or the Holy Spirit?
Praying to God the Father
Jesus taught us to pray to God the Father in Matthew 6. Most examples of prayer in the Bible are prayers directly addressed to God.
We don’t go wrong when we pray directly to God the Father. He is our Creator and the one we should worship. Through Jesus, we have direct access to God. He’s not limited to just priests and prophets, but is accessible to each of us.
Praying through Jesus the Son
We can also pray to Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Jesus tells us in John 14:14, “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” We see examples of the early church praying to Jesus. In fact, many of Paul’s prayers are addressed to Jesus.
I’ve struggled with this idea of praying to Jesus and how to decide when to address a prayer to God versus Jesus. It’s only in recent years as I’ve studied more of Jesus and come to know him better that I’ve felt comfortable praying to him.
When I need to address my prayers to my teacher, my savior, the one who’s walked on this earth and knows firsthand my struggles, then I pray to Jesus.
When I’m praising and worshipping, asking forgiveness and accepting grace, asking for guidance or praying for the needs of others, I usually pray to God.
Praying in the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit has a unique role in prayer. The Holy Spirit intercedes for us, helps us pray, and even prays for us when we don’t have the words.
We are called to pray “in the Spirit,” calling on the Holy Spirit to help us pray and help us know what to pray.
When I’m struggling to find the words to pray, unable to articulate my deepest prayer needs, I call on the Holy Spirit. When I’m stepping out in faith, taking a next step toward where God is calling, I call on the Holy Spirit for guidance and support. When I’m praying with others and the needs are great, I call on the Holy Spirit to intercede and help us pray.
Come, Holy Spirit, Come!
What about praying to Mary and the Saints?
I think this is widely misunderstood, so here’s my take on it. People who pray to Mary and the Saints are not praying to them in worship, but as intercessors. Much like you ask friends to pray for you and with you, people pray to Mary and the Saints in the same way. It’s like reaching out to your most faithful and prayerful friend to ask for prayer.
What are your thoughts?
I’m not a theology expert, so I’m only presenting my personal beliefs. I know this topic can be full of debate across various faith traditions, so I’d love to hear your thoughts. To whom do you address your prayers – and why?
PRAY DEEP CHALLENGE: Journal your thoughts about to whom do you pray. What is your feeling about praying to God versus Jesus? How do you pray in the Spirit? Try praying to God and Jesus, calling on the Holy Spirit to guide your prayers.
Resources:
Like this post? Explore this and other forms of prayer through the Pray Deep prayer journals. Each book will lead you through a variety of prayer methods through 21 days of focused prayers. Get started with one today!
{These are affiliate links – and my own books – so any purchases help grow and sustain this blog.}