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Who should we pray to?
- Thread starter Loukuss
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When Jesus was teaching his disciples how to pray during the Sermon on the Mount, He told them:
(5) When you pray, don't be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. (6) But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then you Father, who sees everything, will reward you. (7) When you pray, don't babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. (8) Don't be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need before you ask Him! (9) Pray like this:
Scripture quoted is Matthew 6:5-9 from the New Living Translation.
From this passage alone it seems clear that we are to pray to the Father. Notice the parts in the above passage that inform us of this, for example consider verses 6, 8, and 9. All of these verses talk about praying to God the Father as opposed to praying to the Holy Spirit and the Son.
John 16:23-24 also tell us to pray to the Father in the name of Jesus from the New Living Translation:
(23) At that time you won't need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and He will grant your request because you use my name. (24) You haven't done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.
Jesus is an intercessor between sinful man and holy God. We must acknowledge that we are not worthy enough and are unable to approach God on our own. It is by our faith in Christ that we are declared righteous and able to approach the Throne of God with our requests.
My understanding of how prayer works is that we pray to God the Father through the Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus.
Does it matter? I don't know, but I assume so. The emphasis that Scripture places on praying to the Father seems to imply that it is rather important.
(5) When you pray, don't be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. (6) But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then you Father, who sees everything, will reward you. (7) When you pray, don't babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. (8) Don't be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need before you ask Him! (9) Pray like this:
"Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy."
Scripture quoted is Matthew 6:5-9 from the New Living Translation.
From this passage alone it seems clear that we are to pray to the Father. Notice the parts in the above passage that inform us of this, for example consider verses 6, 8, and 9. All of these verses talk about praying to God the Father as opposed to praying to the Holy Spirit and the Son.
John 16:23-24 also tell us to pray to the Father in the name of Jesus from the New Living Translation:
(23) At that time you won't need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and He will grant your request because you use my name. (24) You haven't done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.
Jesus is an intercessor between sinful man and holy God. We must acknowledge that we are not worthy enough and are unable to approach God on our own. It is by our faith in Christ that we are declared righteous and able to approach the Throne of God with our requests.
My understanding of how prayer works is that we pray to God the Father through the Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus.
Does it matter? I don't know, but I assume so. The emphasis that Scripture places on praying to the Father seems to imply that it is rather important.
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timlamb
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I have wondered about this question my self. I believe the Holy Spirit is how God interacts with us, speaks to us and guides us, thus I see it more as the answer to prayer.
In looking at Jesus instruction to the disciples, He instructed them on how to pray to the Father, but of course, He was with them at the time and dealing with their issues and responding to their requests for help.
Jesus is our access to the Father, and our savior and creator. I am sure anything we ask Jesus for, He would go to the Father on our behalf.
Jesus said, "I and the Father are one", but He prayed to The Father saying "Thy will be done".
I think He knows our hearts, and understands our confusion.
I think in confessing our need to be cleansed in the blood of Christ, our prayer will be heard and our needs tended to.
But to play it safe,"Our Father, Who art in heaven...in Jesus name, Amen"
timlamb
In looking at Jesus instruction to the disciples, He instructed them on how to pray to the Father, but of course, He was with them at the time and dealing with their issues and responding to their requests for help.
Jesus is our access to the Father, and our savior and creator. I am sure anything we ask Jesus for, He would go to the Father on our behalf.
Jesus said, "I and the Father are one", but He prayed to The Father saying "Thy will be done".
I think He knows our hearts, and understands our confusion.
I think in confessing our need to be cleansed in the blood of Christ, our prayer will be heard and our needs tended to.
But to play it safe,"Our Father, Who art in heaven...in Jesus name, Amen"
timlamb
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Oblio
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Sun2 said:Holy trinity? Quote please, i have not read even once anyone pray to the Holy Spirit.
I Pray To God in Jesus name. Amen.
O Most Holy Trinity have mercy on us,
O Lord, cleanse us from our sins,
O Master, pardon our transgressions,
O Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy names sake !
Lord have Mercy
Lord have Mercy
Lord have Mercy
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St. Augustine's prayer to the Holy Spirit
Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy.
Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy.
Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy.
Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy.
Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy.
Amen.
Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy.
Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy.
Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy.
Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy.
Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy.
Amen.
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LucasGoltz said:
i think the whole thing woudld be idolatry if you would think it is possible to pray to specifically another entity within the Trinity.
i figure when we pray, why not pray to God?
praying to God would inevitably mean that we are allowing God to answer our prayers through whatever way He sees fit. i would imagine praying to God, is praying to God the Father, the Son, the Spirit. i would imagine that the helper would do its job, that the Son is there through the Spirit, and because of the obeidance of the Son, the Son is the doing the Father's buisness...reconciling.
so my answer?
pray to God.
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Sun2 said:Holy trinity? Quote please, i have not read even once anyone pray to the Holy Spirit.
I Pray To God in Jesus name. Amen.
Prayer to the Holy Spirit, commonly used by Orthodox and eastern catholics:
O Heavenly King, Advocate, the Spirit of Truth, Who is in all places and fills all things, The Treasury of good things and the Giver of life; Come and abide in us, and cleanse us from every stain, and save our souls, O Good One.
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Sun2 said:
Veni, Sancte Spiritus ("Come, Holy Spirit")
Come, thou Holy Spirit, come!
And from thy celestial home
shed a ray of light divine!
Come, thou Father of the poor!
Come, thou source of all our store!
Come, within our bosoms shine!
Thou, of comforters the best;
Thou, the soul's most welcome guest;
Sweet refreshment here below.
In our labor, rest most sweet;
Grateful coolness in the heat;
Solace in the midst of woe.
O most blessed Light divine,
Shine within these hearts of thine,
And our inmost being fill!
Where thou art not, we have naught,
Nothing good in deed or thought,
Nothing free from taint of ill.
Heal our wounds, our strength renew;
On our dryness pour thy dew;
Wash the stains of guilt away.
Bend the stubborn heart and will;
Melt the frozen, warm the chill;
Guide the steps that go astray.
On the faithful, who adore
And confess thee, evermore
In thy sev'nfold gift descend.
Give them virtue's sure reward;
Give them thy salvation, Lord;
Give them joys that never end.
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Quantos
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I think when the poster was saying they havent heard anyone pray to the Holy Spirit, they were talking about any examples in the Bible. I can find prayers to just about any enity if I google long enough 
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Oblio
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Quantos said:I think when the poster was saying they havent heard anyone pray to the Holy Spirit, they were talking about any examples in the Bible. I can find prayers to just about any enity if I google long enough
Perhaps he did, and if he did so because that is all he accepts as proof in the word of God, he is in the wrong forum.
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Iollain
Jer 18:2-6
The usual way is to pray to the Father in Jesus name, you can ask the Holy Spirit to help you pray. But Jesus is worthy of all our honour and praise, so praise Him all you like. Jesus and the Holy Spirit are just as much God as the Father.
The Bible teaches prayer to the Father for the most part so that is the way i pray.
The Bible teaches prayer to the Father for the most part so that is the way i pray.
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Sigh
I present a prayer nearly 1200 years old but apparently it has no value because it's "not in the Bible". Did absolutely nothing happen in Christianity up til about 500 years ago?
I present a prayer nearly 1200 years old but apparently it has no value because it's "not in the Bible". Did absolutely nothing happen in Christianity up til about 500 years ago?
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Oblio
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[c]Prayer of St. Macarius the Great
to God the Father
[/c]
O Eternal God and King of all creation, Who hast granted me to arrive at this hour, forgive me the sins that I have committed today in thought, word and deed, and cleanse, O Lord, my humble soul from all defilement of flesh and spirit. And grant me, O Lord, to pass the sleep of this night in peace, that when I rise from my bed I may please Thy most holy Name all the days of my life and conquer my flesh and the fleshless foes that war with me. And deliver me, O Lord, from vain and frivolous thoughts, and from evil desires which defile me. For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
[c]Prayer of St. Antioch
to our Lord Jesus Christ[/c]
O All-Ruler, Word of the Father, Jesus Christ, Thou Who art perfect, never in Thy great mercy leave me, but ever abide in me, Thy servant. O Jesus, Good Shepherd of Thy sheep, deliver me not to the revolt of the serpent and leave me not to the will of satan, for the seed of corruption is in me. Lord, adorable God, Holy King, Jesus Christ, guard me asleep by the unwaning light, Thy Holy Spirit, by Whom Thou didst sanctify Thy disciples. O Lord, grant me, Thy unworthy servant, Thy salvation on my bed. Enlighten my mind with the light of understanding of Thy Holy Gospel. Enlighten my soul with the love of Thy Cross. Enlighten my heart with the purity of Thy Word. Enlighten my body with Thy passionless Passion. Keep my thoughts in Thy humility. And rouse me in good time to glorify Thee, for Thou art supremely glorified, with Thy eternal Father, and Thy most Holy Spirit forever. Amen.
[c]Prayer of St. Ephrem the Syrian
to the Most Holy Spirit[/c]
O Lord, Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, have compassion and mercy on Thy sinful servant and pardon my unworthiness, and forgive me all the sins that I humanly committed today, and not only humanly but even worse than a beast - my voluntary sins, known and unknown, from my youth and from evil suggestions, and from my brazenness, and from boredom. If I have sworn by Thy Name or blasphemed it in thought, blamed or reproached anyone, or in my anger have detracted or slandered anyone, or grieved anyone, or if I have got angry about anything, or have told a lie, if I have slept unnecessarily, or if a beggar has come to me and I despised or neglected him, or if I have troubled my brother or quarrelled with him, or if I have condemned anyone, or have boasted, or have been proud, or lost my temper with anyone, or if when standing in prayer my mind has been distracted by the glamour of this world, or if I have had depraved thoughts or have overeaten, or have drunk excessively, or have laughed frivolously, or have thought evil, or have seen the attraction of someone and been wounded by it in my heart, or said indecent things, or made fun of my brother's sin when my own faults are countless, or been neglectful of prayer, or have done some other wrong that I cannot remember - for I have done all this and much more - have mercy, my Lord and Creator, on me Thy wretched and unworthy servant, and absolve and forgive and deliver me in Thy goodness and love for men, so that, lustful, sinful and wretched as I am, I may lie down and sleep and rest in peace. And I shall worship, praise and glorify Thy most honourable Name, with the Father and His only-begotten Son, now and ever, and for all ages. Amen.
to God the Father
[/c]
O Eternal God and King of all creation, Who hast granted me to arrive at this hour, forgive me the sins that I have committed today in thought, word and deed, and cleanse, O Lord, my humble soul from all defilement of flesh and spirit. And grant me, O Lord, to pass the sleep of this night in peace, that when I rise from my bed I may please Thy most holy Name all the days of my life and conquer my flesh and the fleshless foes that war with me. And deliver me, O Lord, from vain and frivolous thoughts, and from evil desires which defile me. For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
[c]Prayer of St. Antioch
to our Lord Jesus Christ[/c]
O All-Ruler, Word of the Father, Jesus Christ, Thou Who art perfect, never in Thy great mercy leave me, but ever abide in me, Thy servant. O Jesus, Good Shepherd of Thy sheep, deliver me not to the revolt of the serpent and leave me not to the will of satan, for the seed of corruption is in me. Lord, adorable God, Holy King, Jesus Christ, guard me asleep by the unwaning light, Thy Holy Spirit, by Whom Thou didst sanctify Thy disciples. O Lord, grant me, Thy unworthy servant, Thy salvation on my bed. Enlighten my mind with the light of understanding of Thy Holy Gospel. Enlighten my soul with the love of Thy Cross. Enlighten my heart with the purity of Thy Word. Enlighten my body with Thy passionless Passion. Keep my thoughts in Thy humility. And rouse me in good time to glorify Thee, for Thou art supremely glorified, with Thy eternal Father, and Thy most Holy Spirit forever. Amen.
[c]Prayer of St. Ephrem the Syrian
to the Most Holy Spirit[/c]
O Lord, Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, have compassion and mercy on Thy sinful servant and pardon my unworthiness, and forgive me all the sins that I humanly committed today, and not only humanly but even worse than a beast - my voluntary sins, known and unknown, from my youth and from evil suggestions, and from my brazenness, and from boredom. If I have sworn by Thy Name or blasphemed it in thought, blamed or reproached anyone, or in my anger have detracted or slandered anyone, or grieved anyone, or if I have got angry about anything, or have told a lie, if I have slept unnecessarily, or if a beggar has come to me and I despised or neglected him, or if I have troubled my brother or quarrelled with him, or if I have condemned anyone, or have boasted, or have been proud, or lost my temper with anyone, or if when standing in prayer my mind has been distracted by the glamour of this world, or if I have had depraved thoughts or have overeaten, or have drunk excessively, or have laughed frivolously, or have thought evil, or have seen the attraction of someone and been wounded by it in my heart, or said indecent things, or made fun of my brother's sin when my own faults are countless, or been neglectful of prayer, or have done some other wrong that I cannot remember - for I have done all this and much more - have mercy, my Lord and Creator, on me Thy wretched and unworthy servant, and absolve and forgive and deliver me in Thy goodness and love for men, so that, lustful, sinful and wretched as I am, I may lie down and sleep and rest in peace. And I shall worship, praise and glorify Thy most honourable Name, with the Father and His only-begotten Son, now and ever, and for all ages. Amen.
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