This topic came up a few months ago between several brethren in our area. There have been several brethren who studied this and came to the conclusion we can indeed pray to Jesus. After several of us brethren at our congregation got to questioning this, we decided to conduct an in depth study. We could not come to the same conclusion.

I am not at liberty to post our entire study at this time because it is in response to an article written on the subject and we prefer to get a response from that person prior to sharing the full study. In due time I can share it, but out of respect, I must wait. However, we can still discuss the subject and I can share a few highlights of our study.

I am very interested in your thoughts.

__________________
In Christ,
brother Sonnie

This is a link to a similar subject that may help:

http://forum.preachersfiles.com/view...0&p=6383#p6383



We need to be reminded often that God is One.

We can see Him and His personage interacting with our soul as One.

Matthew 28:19
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

I often find brethren working real hard to separate God into three persons too much. Yes, God is the Father, Son and Holy Spirit but He is One.

We do all things through Christ. All things, means just that, All things, through Jesus. Once we are in Christ, we can interface with not only Jesus but also the Father...not only the Father but also the Holy Spirit. When Jesus speaks, He speaks from the Father. When the Holy Spirit spoke through the apostles, they spoke by the Holy Spirit, which spoke the Word of Jesus, who speaks the Word of the Father.

There is no separation of Mind. We will never find, not once God, the Father, Son or Holy Spirit, ever being contrary in thought, action or personality.

Because we are in the flesh and saved through Christ, we are to pray through Christ to the Father. This is the model Jesus set but if we speak to Jesus, the Father still hears us. Did God the Father hear Stephen when he spoke to Jesus, who was standing next to God, looking at him? Of course He did. God the Father loves all who love His Son.

Acts 7:54-60
54 When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. 55 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, 56 and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”
57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; 58 and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

If we accept the Son, the father will accept us. But make no mistake about it, we cannot ignore the Father, in place of the Son. We do not see anyone praying to the Holy Spirit but instead, "in" the Spirit. The Holy Spirit is only in those that are In Christ/God from Acts onward.

John 5:23
that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.

John 5:26
For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself,

John 8:28
Then Jesus said to them, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things.

John 14:13
And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

John 14:1
1 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.

John 14:6
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

John 14:7-11
7 “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.”
8 Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.”
9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. 11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.

Romans 15:30 (Here we can see all of God and our soul in prayer)
Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me,


We can see the prayer is through Christ to God.

1 Corinthians 8:6
yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.

Very good post Steven!

"Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father." Col 3:17 (U-NASB)

__________________
For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. 1 Tim 2:5 (U-NASB)

Was Stephen praying or speaking directly to Jesus?

This was a miraculous event and of course would not happen today. Well, I suppose it may happen if we live to see Jesus coming in the clouds.

Even if he was considered praying, I do not believe it would give us authorization to pray directly to Jesus, in light of the fact we are commanded to pray to the Father.

__________________
In Christ,
brother Sonnie

Here was my reply to this exact same question on the Preachers Files:


We have the example of Jesus teaching His disciples how to pray and in this example Jesus prayed to the Father.

Jesus is our high priest. Hebrews 6:20. It was through His atoning work that we are reconciled to God. We have access directly to God the Father thru Jesus Christ who is God the Son. It is to the Father that we have been reconciled, it is to Him that Jesus Prayed and I personally believe that it is to God the Father we should direct our prayers THROUGH Jesus Christ.

Personally, when I pray, I address my prayers to My God and Father and Heaven. Jesus is just as much God as God is, sharing all the divine attributes, and being one of the persons of the Godhead. I figure by so doing, I have covered all the bases and am assured of my prayers being heard.

I would also like to add in that through the course of my day, I mentally pray to God on numerous occasions and these prayers are often times just silently offered and they don't always have the attention to protocol of the prayers I offer in the quiet of my home out of the sight of everybody. So I cannot insist that every single prayer offered must be preambled and closed with these exact words becasuse I don't do it myself. But when I get down on bent knee and it's just me and God and I am bringing to Him all my thanks and petitions,,, this is when I observe closely the Biblical pattern out of reverence for His Holiness and with full realization of just who I am talking to and what my position is in the grand scheme of things.

I am His servant and I am bowing at the feet of His throne. I am unworthy of anything He has given me, and but for the sacrifice of His Son for me, I would never even have the opportunity to be heard, let alone be listened to and answered. There is no amount of gratitude I can show, there is no amount of service I could ever offer, there is nothing whatsoever I could possibly do to earn this incredible priviledge and I try very diligently to make sure God knows I am aware of this and that I am very very grateful for it.

__________________
"My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him." 1 John 3:18-19

The church of Christ at Granby

I get this question a lot as a preacher. I always turn people to Colossians 3:17 and Ephesians 5:20. In these verses we learn that prayer is directed toward God and offered through Christ. Or as some of the translations say... "giving thanks through him (Jesus) to God the Father."

Brotherly,
Don

__________________
Don Gelles,
Preacher, Church of Christ in Hyde Park
Austin, Texas
www.hydeparkcoc.org

If we pray to Christ, then we make Him a liar because of the focus that He placed on God as the one that we are to pray to. I have yet for anyone to show me where any example that anyone has placed the emphasis on praying to Christ alone.

__________________
I wear the armor of God (Eph. 6:10-17) for the church found in God's Word (Acts 20:28, Romans 16:16) and fight for the Truth found with the Scriptures!

Acts 1:15-26 (NASB) Displays in my opinion an example of the Apostles praying to Jesus specifically to show which of these chosen men would serve as an Apostle to replace Judas. The authority to choose Apostles was given to Jesus. It was Jesus who later on chose Paul to be an Apostle. Therefore I think the Apostles prayed to Jesus in this instance.

Also, we sing songs about Jesus, we read that Jesus accepted worship while on earth. Why do we think it not proper to pray to him or give thanks to him in prayer? Jesus is God. The only member of the Godhead that we read absolutely nothing about worshipping is the Holy Spirit. No command, example or inference in the Bible about worshipping the Holy Spirit. We are to abide in the Spirit by abiding in the Word.

15At this time Peter stood up in the midst of the brethren (a gathering of about one hundred and twenty persons was there together), and said,

16"Brethren, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit foretold by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus.

17"For he was counted among us and received his share in this ministry."

18(Now this man acquired a field with the price of his wickedness, and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his intestines gushed out.

19And it became known to all who were living in Jerusalem; so that in their own language that field was called Hakeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)

20"For it is written in the book of Psalms,
'LET HIS HOMESTEAD BE MADE DESOLATE,
AND LET NO ONE DWELL IN IT';
and,
'LET ANOTHER MAN TAKE HIS OFFICE.'

21"Therefore it is necessary that of the men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us--

22 beginning with the baptism of John until the day that He was taken up from us--one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection."

23So they put forward two men, Joseph called Barsabbas (who was also called Justus), and Matthias.

24And they prayed and said, "You, Lord, who know the hearts of all men, show which one of these two You have chosen

25to occupy this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place."

26And they drew lots for them, and the lot fell to Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.

Why does it have to be Jesus? God the Father, whom Jesus said they were to ask all things from after He assends, knows all things. Is He not Lord as His Son is? Isn't Jesus and the Father, One?

Although I appreciate the effort, it is not really a water tight example.

For all in us in this study, please keep in mind that requesting something from God is different than giving thanks. Jesus said when they ask for something, they should pray and ask the Father.

We also need to keep in mind that Jesus WHOLE goal was to bring man and God together. This was to His glory that He did. When Jesus succeeded in doing so through His life and sacrifice, to His glory we CAN pray directly to the Father THROUGH Him and to the Father's Glory that we ask in Christ.

Hebrews 10:19-23
19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

John 14:13
And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

John 15:16
You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.

John 16:23-24
“And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

If we are to pray directly to Christ then why did not Christ say to do so and make emphasis on Himself and not God??

__________________
I wear the armor of God (Eph. 6:10-17) for the church found in God's Word (Acts 20:28, Romans 16:16) and fight for the Truth found with the Scriptures!

Exactly. He would not had gone to the effort to make a point of it. In John, He repeats it at least three times and in the last verse I quoted before, He goes into detail about how He desires our prayers to be, through whom and to whom.

Jesus gave everything to make this happen for us. I do not wish to dismiss His sacrifice to have this ability to pray to the Father directly, through Him. It is one of God's blessings to us as His children.

The more I study these things, the stronger I see the necessity it is. It is not a disrespect to pray to the Father and not ask Jesus for things because we are asking "in Him", "through Him" and "in His name/authority".

It is to the Glory of the Father and glory to Christ, that He has enabled us through Him.

To God the Father be the glory through His Son, our Christ!

When asked about prayer in Matthew 6:5-15 Jesus taught that prayer was to be directed to God the Father.

"Pray then in this way OUR FATHER who is in heaven..." (Matthew 6:9)

Kindly,
Don

__________________
Don Gelles,
Preacher, Church of Christ in Hyde Park
Austin, Texas
www.hydeparkcoc.org

Who chose the Apostles? Understand that I am not saying we should pray exclusively to Jesus, but I do not think there is anything contrary to scripture to do so as Jesus accepted worship from others and forgave sins. And keep in mind when Jesus instructed the disciples on how to pray, He was still on earth. For the record when I pray I pray to the Father. I just think this is worthy for discussion. Is it something we are overlooking?

Craig my friend, please look at the verse again. It says "Lord". God is Lord...Jesus is called Lord...The Father is called Lord...again, we need to remember that God is Lord.

We have no doubt God chose the apostles. That is as far as we can go in this scripture regarding that.

There is no implication Jesus Himself did it, nor does it imply that God the Father chose them without Jesus because we cannot determine such things since the Father and Son are One in all things. Could the Father or Son make a decision the other would not agree on?

We need to tread lightly to make absolutes from something lacking absolute proof.

Please notice that the Father gave Jesus, while in the flesh, the apostles in the first place. Why would or could He not do it again?

John 17
6 “I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. 7 Now they have known that all things which You have given Me are from You. 8 For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me.

Even if the apostles were praying to Jesus... His church had not yet been established and He would not yet be the Mediator and High Priest.

In the passage of Acts 1:24 we also see the use of the Greek "kardiognōstēs" which means "knower of the hearts". While this power is of Jesus (John 2:24-25; 6:64; Rev. 2:18)... it is also the power of God (1Sam. 16:7; 1 Chr. 28:9; Ps. 139:1,23; Jer. 17:10). The only other use of the Greek "kardiognōstēs" in the New Testament is in Acts 15:8,
where it is applied to the Father.

The first recorded prayer after the establishment of the church was addressed to the Father as "Lord" (Acts 4:24,29).

It is important to note that just a few weeks prior to Acts 1:24, Jesus instructed the apostles to pray to the Father, not Himself (John 15:16; 16:23-24).

When Jesus taught the apostles to pray He instructed them to "pray to your Father" (Matthew 6:6).

Below is a link to a very in depth study on praying to Jesus... MS Word document. Several of us brethren got together and studied this for 7-8 hours over a few nights. The brother that actually wrote it, studied it for much longer.

Can a Christian pray to Christ?

__________________
In Christ,
brother Sonnie

John 6:70

70Jesus answered them, "Did I Myself not choose you, the twelve, and yet one of you is a devil?"

I am not saying that Jesus and the Father are not One. I am just suggesting that it would not be unscriptural ie a violation to pray to Jesus as He accepted worship and forgave sins just as The Father does. I know we do not have all that much to go on and I certainly think it is essential to not stray from scripture. But keep in mind though that in every instance where an Apostle was chosen, Jesus was involved. Jesus personally chose Paul as he did the others in the gospels. I don't think it is out of bounds to look at verse 24 in Acts 1 and determine that it was Jesus the Son of God whom they were praying to specifically. I see your point that the events of that Pentecost had not occured. As I said brothers, this is a worthy topic to discuss.

Yes, Jesus did choose them and so did the Father because Jesus did nothing without the direction and will of the Father, and I mean nothing. That is why Jesus said the Father gave the apostles to Him. That is also why I pointed out that God is One.


I did not think that you saying they were not One, but that we can not say that it was for sure Jesus. We may speculate all we want within possibilities but not make them absolute. It is just good wisdom and application of scripture when we teach the scriptures to others. Know what I mean?

Regarding some of the other statments by others in the thread about Jesus not having the church established yet, I do not think that it makes any difference. Make no mistake, when Jesus assended, He sat down to rule next to the Father. He took His place before the church was established in Acts 2.

Peter said so in Acts 2 itself. He already was in His place with the Father.

32 This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. 33 Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.

Just a little something else to think about.

Before selecting the original apostles, Jesus prayed to the Father (Lk. 6:13,14). Also, both Ananias and Paul said that “God” appointed Paul to his apostleship (Acts 22:14; Eph. 1:1; Tit. 1:3).

In Galatians 1:15 and 16 Paul said that it was God who chose Him for his task: "But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood."

__________________
In Christ,
brother Sonnie

The significance of Jesus showing Himself to Paul was not to choose him per sae but to SHOW Himself to Paul. One of the qualifications of an apostle was that they had to have seen Jesus.

Acts 1

21 “Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.”

But Jesus chose Paul nonetheless. This is a great topic, brothers.