Some thoughts on prayers to consider:
A RESPONSE TO A QUESTION
There is no jealousy or competition here, for Jesus is God manifested in the flesh as He said: "I am in the Father and the Father in Me...", manifesting the Son of Man and the Son of God while He was here on earth. See also Genesis 1:26; Gen.3:22; Gen.11:7 and all the many verses of the Trinity; so we don't need to be greatly troubled, but we ought to have discernment.
We would probably not thank the Lord Jesus for creating us, for it puts the emphasis in the wrong place. He was with the Father in creation, and He is revealed to us as our Redeemer, not as Creator. He was not revealed in the Old Testament as part of the Trinity, though we can see He was present. See also the differences in 1 Cor.15:22-28. It just seems to be the mind of God that we understand each Person of the trinity. Some of the charismatic Christians are often talking to the Holy Spirit, which appears quite contrary to John 16, for He is the silent worker and power of the Godhead and always draws us to Christ. Note also that we have the triune God---Father and the Son, by the silent work of the Spirit as in John 14:23 ("we will come ..."). The Spirit is always spoken of in the third person (He), not in the second person (you).
I believe the proper prayer in general is to our Father in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ ---concerning creation, blessings, direction, praise, etc., in that all things originate with Jehovah; though we can speak to the Lord Jesus concerning our devotion to Him for His sacrifice, His loving care and comfort, His presence by the Spirit ("I am with you always"), His promised return, etc. The Lord Jesus said to "ask anything in My Name and I will do it" which is true, and I believe it implies: "ask anything (of the Father) in My Name", which honors both (see John 16:23-24). They always work together for our good by the Holy Spirit today.
The scriptural references to the "Lord" is acknowledging Jehovah and Jesus as one God over all and our Master, as you mentioned in the verses quoted. See also the Concise Bible Dictionary. When we call upon the Lord it is to God.
As you said: Paul "besought the Lord" (God). Peter said: "Not so, Lord" (God). Steven called: "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit" (his Savior-God). In Romans 8:34 and Hebrews 7:25 it speaks of intercession always for us regardless of prayer. In 1 Timothy 2:3 we are told "there is one mediator", and so we rightly pray to the Father in Jesus' Name.
I just believe there is a time to speak to our Father, and a time to talk to our Lord and Savior. Often I speak to both my Father and my Savior as I pray, for I think of the works of each for me. I expect to dwell with the Lord Jesus in the Father's house forever, for there is now a Man in the glory for me. I would not want to legalize the subject, for God does not, as you also indicated. Thanks for the thoughts ---a good meditation.
- Yours in Christ, (RLD)
ADDENDUM: Brother, I thought of another distinction you might want to consider from a paper I have:
God--the Father; Jehovah--the Creator and mind of the Godhead ("...the Father sent the Son").
God--the Son; Lord Jesus, the Christ--the Savior and bridegroom and our beloved Lord of the Godhead.
God--the Spirit; Holy Spirit--the power and silent worker and teacher of the Godhead.
"Lord" is simply a title of respect as the worthy one overall (in the O.T. and the N.T.) and is used also of certain men. Maybe this will add something. - RLD.
A RESPONSE TO A QUESTION
PROPER PRAYER
Dear_________:
The question regarding proper prayer comes up at times, and the response most often heard is that both prayers to the Father in the Name of the Lord Jesus, the Christ, and prayers to the Lord Jesus are acceptable. I try to be a little more definitive as to the thought. We ought to be "rightly dividing the Word of Truth" (2 Tim.2:15).
The question regarding proper prayer comes up at times, and the response most often heard is that both prayers to the Father in the Name of the Lord Jesus, the Christ, and prayers to the Lord Jesus are acceptable. I try to be a little more definitive as to the thought. We ought to be "rightly dividing the Word of Truth" (2 Tim.2:15).
There is no jealousy or competition here, for Jesus is God manifested in the flesh as He said: "I am in the Father and the Father in Me...", manifesting the Son of Man and the Son of God while He was here on earth. See also Genesis 1:26; Gen.3:22; Gen.11:7 and all the many verses of the Trinity; so we don't need to be greatly troubled, but we ought to have discernment.
We would probably not thank the Lord Jesus for creating us, for it puts the emphasis in the wrong place. He was with the Father in creation, and He is revealed to us as our Redeemer, not as Creator. He was not revealed in the Old Testament as part of the Trinity, though we can see He was present. See also the differences in 1 Cor.15:22-28. It just seems to be the mind of God that we understand each Person of the trinity. Some of the charismatic Christians are often talking to the Holy Spirit, which appears quite contrary to John 16, for He is the silent worker and power of the Godhead and always draws us to Christ. Note also that we have the triune God---Father and the Son, by the silent work of the Spirit as in John 14:23 ("we will come ..."). The Spirit is always spoken of in the third person (He), not in the second person (you).
I believe the proper prayer in general is to our Father in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ ---concerning creation, blessings, direction, praise, etc., in that all things originate with Jehovah; though we can speak to the Lord Jesus concerning our devotion to Him for His sacrifice, His loving care and comfort, His presence by the Spirit ("I am with you always"), His promised return, etc. The Lord Jesus said to "ask anything in My Name and I will do it" which is true, and I believe it implies: "ask anything (of the Father) in My Name", which honors both (see John 16:23-24). They always work together for our good by the Holy Spirit today.
The scriptural references to the "Lord" is acknowledging Jehovah and Jesus as one God over all and our Master, as you mentioned in the verses quoted. See also the Concise Bible Dictionary. When we call upon the Lord it is to God.
As you said: Paul "besought the Lord" (God). Peter said: "Not so, Lord" (God). Steven called: "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit" (his Savior-God). In Romans 8:34 and Hebrews 7:25 it speaks of intercession always for us regardless of prayer. In 1 Timothy 2:3 we are told "there is one mediator", and so we rightly pray to the Father in Jesus' Name.
I just believe there is a time to speak to our Father, and a time to talk to our Lord and Savior. Often I speak to both my Father and my Savior as I pray, for I think of the works of each for me. I expect to dwell with the Lord Jesus in the Father's house forever, for there is now a Man in the glory for me. I would not want to legalize the subject, for God does not, as you also indicated. Thanks for the thoughts ---a good meditation.
- Yours in Christ, (RLD)
ADDENDUM: Brother, I thought of another distinction you might want to consider from a paper I have:
God--the Father; Jehovah--the Creator and mind of the Godhead ("...the Father sent the Son").
God--the Son; Lord Jesus, the Christ--the Savior and bridegroom and our beloved Lord of the Godhead.
God--the Spirit; Holy Spirit--the power and silent worker and teacher of the Godhead.
"Lord" is simply a title of respect as the worthy one overall (in the O.T. and the N.T.) and is used also of certain men. Maybe this will add something. - RLD.
