Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

To whom are we to pray, the Father, the Son, or the Holy Spirit?
gotquestions.org ^ | unknown | Got Questions Ministries

Posted on 06/10/2017 8:12:43 AM PDT by ealgeone

Question: "To whom are we to pray, the Father, the Son, or the Holy Spirit?"

Answer: All prayer should be directed to our triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Bible teaches that we can pray to one or all three, because all three are one. To the Father we pray with the psalmist, “Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray” (Psalm 5:2). To the Lord Jesus, we pray as to the Father because they are equal. Prayer to one member of the Trinity is prayer to all. Stephen, as he was being martyred, prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit” (Acts 7:59). We are also to pray in the name of Christ. Paul exhorted the Ephesian believers to always give “thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20). Jesus assured His disciples that whatever they asked in His name—meaning in His will—would be granted (John 15:16; 16:23).

We are told to pray in the Spirit and in His power. The Spirit helps us to pray, even when we do not know how or what to ask for (Romans 8:26; Jude 20). Perhaps the best way to understand the role of the Trinity in prayer is that we pray to the Father, through (or in the name of) the Son, by the power of the Holy Spirit. All three are active participants in the believer’s prayer.

Equally important is whom we are not to pray to. Some non-Christian religions encourage their adherents to pray to a pantheon of gods, dead relatives, saints, and spirits. Roman Catholics are taught to pray to Mary and various saints. Such prayers are not scriptural and are, in fact, an insult to our heavenly Father. To understand why, we need only look at the nature of prayer. Prayer has several elements, and if we look at just two of them—praise and thanksgiving—we can see that prayer is, at its very core, worship. When we praise God, we are worshipping Him for His attributes and His work in our lives. When we offer prayers of thanksgiving, we are worshipping His goodness, mercy, and loving-kindness to us. Worship gives glory to God, the only One who deserves to be glorified. The problem with praying to anyone other than God is that He will not share His glory. In fact, praying to anyone or anything other than God is idolatry. “I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols” (Isaiah 42:8).

Other elements of prayer such as repentance, confession, and petition are also forms of worship. We repent knowing that God is a forgiving and loving God and He has provided a means of forgiveness in the sacrifice of His Son on the cross. We confess our sins because we know “He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9) and we worship Him for it. We come to Him with our petitions and intercessions because we know He loves us and hears us, and we worship Him for His mercy and kindness in being willing to hear and answer. When we consider all this, it is easy to see that praying to someone other than our triune God is unthinkable because prayer is a form of worship, and worship is reserved for God and God alone. Whom are we to pray to? The answer is God. Praying to God, and God alone, is far more important than to which Person of the Trinity we address our prayers.


TOPICS: Apologetics; Theology; Worship
KEYWORDS: father; lordsprayer; prayer
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 181-194 next last
To: DaveA37

the “Muslime” false god.

Who invented that?

 

 "Islam did not rise except through Ali's sword and Khadijah's wealth," 

 

https://books.google.com/books?id=s6sYxzbiP-gC&pg=PA276&lpg=PA276&dq=Mecca+Convents&source=bl&ots=MCUIDvA-gA&sig=XlSQr3hdngfxi9PwL9nE4V81lQ4&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjg2JuMrpTPAhUQ8GMKHZPOCS4Q6AEIKTAC#v=onepage&q=Mecca%20Convents&f=false


https://books.google.com/books?id=Wl0PAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA227&lpg=PA227&dq=Khadija+convents&source=bl&ots=S4CgWdu0oz&sig=WqLh2T2uHn7D30FqixqizsIb-wg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj4pZHysZTPAhXJeSYKHVVoBiMQ6AEIQDAH#v=onepage&q=Khadija%20convents&f=false


Hmm.

21 posted on 06/10/2017 9:35:44 AM PDT by HLPhat (It takes a Republic TO SECURE THESE RIGHTS - not a populist Tyranny of the Majority)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: Vaquero

Praying to all of them, triune God.


22 posted on 06/10/2017 9:40:30 AM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Missouri gal

Prayer is what you said; but it is also devotion (worship, giving of your time and attention, setting your affection on things above, slipping the surly bonds of earth, etc. — in addition to asking).

There is a great verse in Ephesians 5 that, following an admonition to be filled with the Spirit, that we should give thanks, always, for all things, “...to God and the Father, in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ...” — so, in the one same context, we have the Trinity. In essence, we are praying to the Father; but these things are hard for us to distinguish down here in the flesh, through our little glass-darkly. We know, from this verse and many others, that we can’t pray effectively without the help of the Holy Spirit, and that we are to pray (with a grateful attitude) to the Father in the Name of Jesus.
So it’s all good. What matters is that we devote ourselves to the God of the Bible, best we know how, and that we grow in our fluency with Him as we journey down here.
That’s what I think, anyway; and I think I have the Spirit on this.


23 posted on 06/10/2017 10:08:58 AM PDT by Migraine (Diversity is great- -- until it happens to YOU.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: ealgeone; Alex Murphy; bkaycee; boatbums; CynicalBear; daniel1212; dragonblustar; Dutchboy88; ...
Luke 11:1-13 Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” And he said to them, “When you pray, say:

“Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.”

And he said to them, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’? I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs.

And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Hebrews 4:14-16 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

24 posted on 06/10/2017 12:31:43 PM PDT by metmom ( ...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ReaganGeneration2
Roman Catholics do not pray TO Mary and the Saints. Protestants can say that all they want, and complain about how confused they are - but is simply FAKE DOCTRINE.

Praying TO a person is praying asking that person for something.

Here are a few of the MANY prayers TO Mary that can be found in a fraction of a second with a simple google search of *Prayers to Mary*.

So your claim is demonstrably in error.

Prayer to Mary Help of Christians

Most Holy and Immaculate Virgin, Help of Christians, we place ourselves under your motherly protection. Throughout the Church’s history you have helped Christians in times of trial, temptation and danger. Time and time again, you have proven to be the Refuge of sinners, the Hope of the hopeless, the Consoler of the afflicted, and the Comforter of the dying. We promise to be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ, your Son, to proclaim His Good News of God’s love for all people, and to work for peace and justice in our world. With faith in your intercession, we pray for the Church, for our family and friends, for the poor and abandoned, and all the dying. Grant, O Mary, Help of Christians, the graces of which we stand in need. (Mention your intentions.) May we serve Jesus with fidelity and love until death. Help us and our loved ones to attain the boundless joy of being forever with our Father in heaven. Amen.

Prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe

Dear Mother, we love you. We thank you for your promise to help us in our need. We trust in your love that dries our tears and comforts us. Teach us to find our peace in your Son, Jesus, and bless us every day of our lives.

Pray for us O Holy Mother of God

R: That we may be made worthy of the promises of eternal life

Help us to build a shrine in our hearts. Make it as beautiful as the one built for you on the Mount of Tepeyac. A shrine full of trust, hope, and love of Jesus growing stronger each day. Mary, you have chosen to remain with us by giving us your most wonderful and holy self-image on Juan Diego's cloak. May we feel your loving presence as we look upon your face. Like Juan, give us the courage to bring your message of hope to everyone.

You are our Mother and our inspiration. Hear our prayers and answer us. Amen.

The Memorare

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help or sought your intercession, was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto you, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To you I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word incarnate, despise not my petitions, but, in your mercy, hear and answer me. Amen.

http://www.stcathek.org/OLPH.htm

Lady of Perpetual Help Novenas

First Novena Prayer ( 1st. and 5th. Saturday)

Behold at thy feet, O Mother of Perpetual Help,| a wretched sinner who has recourse to thee and confides in thee.| O Mother of mercy, have pity on me. I hear thee called by all the refuge and the hope of sinners:| be then, my refuge and my hope.

Assist me, for the love of Jesus Christ;| stretch forth thy hand to a miserable fallen creature who recommends himself to thee, and who devotes himself to thy service for ever.| I bless and thank Almighty God, who in His mercy has given me this confidence in thee,| which I hold to be a pledge of my eternal salvation.|

It is true that in the past I have miserably fallen into sin,| because I had not recourse to thee.| I know that, with thy help, I shall conquer.| I know too, that thou wilt assist me, if I recommend myself to thee;| but I fear dear Mother | that in time of danger, I may neglect to call on thee,| and thus lose my soul.| This grace, then, I ask of thee, and this I beg, with all the fervor of my soul,| that in all the attacks of hell I may ever have recourse to thee.| O Mary, help me.| O Mother of Perpetual Help, never suffer me to lose my God.

3 Ave’s

Hail Mary , full of grace , the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, JESUS. R: Holy Mary Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Second Novena Prayer (2nd. and 4th. Saturday) O Mother of Perpetual Help, MBgrant that I may ever invoke thy most powerful name, which is the safeguard of the living and the salvation of the dying. O purest Mary, O sweetest Mary, let thy name henceforth be ever on my lips. Delay not, O Blessed Lady, to help me, whenever I call on thee; for, in all my temptations, in all my needs, I shall never cease to call on thee, ever repeating thy sacred name, Mary, Mary. O what consolation, what sweetness, what confidence, what emotion fills my soul when I utter thy sacred name, or even only think of thee. I thank the Lord for having given thee, for my good, so sweet, so powerful, so lovely a name. But I will not be content with merely uttering thy name. Let my love for thee prompt me ever to hail thee, Mother of Perpetual Help.

3 Ave’s

Third Novena Prayer ( 3rd. Saturday)

O Mother of Perpetual Help, thou art the dispenser of all the gifts which God grants to us miserable sinners; and for this end He has made thee so powerful, so rich, and so bountiful, in order that thou mayest help us in our misery. Thou art the advocate of the most wretched and abandoned sinners who have recourse to thee: come to my aid, dearest Mother, for I recommend myself to thee. In thy hands I place my eternal salvation, and to thee I entrust my soul. Count me among thy most devoted servants; take me under thy protection, and it is enough for me. For, if thou protect me, dear Mother, I fear nothing; not from my sins, because thou wilt obtain for me the pardon of them; nor from the devils, because thou art more powerful than all hell together; nor even from Jesus, my judge, because by one prayer from thee He will be appeased. But one thing I fear: that in the hour of temptation I may through negligence fail to have recourse to thee and thus perish miserably. Obtain for me, therefore, the pardon of my sins, love for Jesus, final perseverance, and the grace to have recourse to thee, O Mother of Perpetual Help. 3 Hail Marys.

http://motherofperpetualhelp.blogspot.com/2007/06/three-novena-prayers.html

25 posted on 06/10/2017 12:41:13 PM PDT by metmom ( ...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: ealgeone

Repeat errors all you want.

To be clear, authentic Catholics only recognize the Triune God as Creator and Savior. The Advocate (Holy Spirit) is also God, but works through the living, including Mary. There is a huge difference between “worship” and “honor”.

In summary, you’re like the guy in the joke: sitting on the roof in the flood waiting for God’s help, refusing the rescues by the helicopters (which were sent by God).

Hint: Mary and the saints exist to help YOU.

Perhaps you don’t feel you need to ask for help. Are you sure you’re worthy of God’s saving grace?; so you are perfect and never slip up?


26 posted on 06/10/2017 12:44:49 PM PDT by ReaganGeneration2
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: Missouri gal
Prayer is NOT worship. To pray means to ask. In Old English, people making requests of any other person would say, “I pray thee...” If prayer were equal to worship, then almost every English speaking person prior to about 1800 was an idolater.

Completely false...And of course that's what THEY teach you...

Pray thee or pray you is to ask...Pray or praying to or prayer is worship...

27 posted on 06/10/2017 1:01:20 PM PDT by Iscool
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: ReaganGeneration2
Hint: Mary and the saints exist to help YOU.

You have no evidence that Mary or even a single Catholic Saint is in heaven...We bible Christians just go directly to God as he told us to for any and all help we need...He doesn't need help from anyone else...He can handle it...

Perhaps you don’t feel you need to ask for help. Are you sure you’re worthy of God’s saving grace?; so you are perfect and never slip up?

No we are not worthy of God's saving Grace...That's why Jesus gave up his life for us...No matter how many times we tell you guys that you just can't seem to figure it out...

28 posted on 06/10/2017 1:17:02 PM PDT by Iscool
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: metmom; ealgeone

I prayed to Mary when I was a Catholic. I thought she was the mediator between God and man. Obviously, I don’t do that now. I still can’t figure out, where I thought Jesus entered the picture. Maybe in my own little world, he didn’t enter in at all. I still don’t know how I reconciled all of it.


29 posted on 06/10/2017 1:56:58 PM PDT by Mark17 (Genesis chapter 1 verse 1. In the beginning GOD....And the rest, as they say, is HIS-story)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies]

To: ealgeone
See what you're missing?


“The Most Holy Virgin in these last times in which we live has given a new efficacy to the recitation of the Rosary to such an extent that there is no problem, no matter how difficult it is, whether temporal or above all spiritual, in the personal life of each one of us, of our families…that cannot be solved by the Rosary. There is no problem, I tell you, no matter how difficult it is, that we cannot resolve by the prayer of the Holy Rosary.”

Sister Lucia dos Santos, Fatima seer


“When you say your Rosary, the angels rejoice, the Blessed Trinity delights in it, my Son finds joy in it too, and I myself am happier than you can possibly guess. After the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, there is nothing in the Church that I love as much as the Rosary.”

Our Lady to Blessed Alan de la Roche

30 posted on 06/10/2017 2:05:54 PM PDT by BlessedBeGod (To restore all things in Christ~~Appeasing evil is cowardice~~Francis is temporary. Hell is forever.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: ReaganGeneration2

“The Advocate (Holy Spirit) is also God, but works through the living, including Mary.”

Never, ever found out in Scripture. I wonder why???

“Hint: Mary and the saints exist to help YOU.”

Never, ever found out in Scripture. I wonder why???


31 posted on 06/10/2017 2:07:33 PM PDT by aMorePerfectUnion
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: Iscool

There is indeed biblical evidence that there are saints in heaven.

Rev 5:8
“And when he had opened the book, the four living creatures, and the four and twenty ancients fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints:”

“And the smoke of the incense of the prayers of the saints ascended up before God from the hand of the angel.” Rev 8:4

Here the ‘saints’ are the righteous on earth, while the ancients are men in heaven, what we now refer to as saints. This occurs at a time when there are still men on earth, as shown by an earlier verse which also shows that there are men already in heaven:

“And no man was able, neither in heaven, nor on earth, nor under the earth, to open the book, nor to look on it.” Rev 5:3

This can reasonably be interpreted to mean that our prayers go through the ancients (saints) and angels in heaven to God.

How do the saints and angels get our prayers? Since they are in heaven with God while they are passing along our prayers, God must approve, unless you think things happen in heaven against God’s will.

You may disagree with this interpretation, but it is indeed based in scripture.

If personal interpretation of scripture is to guide us to God, then you have no right to discount my right to my interpretation. It is not necessary that you accept this interpretation, but you have no standing to impose your interpretation on me.

Prayer is not just worship. Prayer is communication. It can communicate worship to God, but it can also communicate requests, love, honor, thanks to God or other heavenly beings.

I know that saints and angels are not God therefore my communications with them are not worship. I believe they can relay our prayers to God because scripture tells me so.

If I am wrong, and I am unintentionally ‘worshiping’ other beings, is this still a sin? If so, since I am already saved by accepting Jesus as my Lord and Savior, why does it matter?

Love,
O2

****Let’s get rid of the need for this TAGLINE ****


32 posted on 06/10/2017 2:13:01 PM PDT by omegatoo (You know you'll get your money's worth...become a monthly donor!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]

To: ealgeone

.
The words of the Son are clear:
WE pray to the Father, in the name of the son.

The spirit is not to be prayed to; the spirit answers us.

Nothing is “triune.” That is man made foolishness.
.


33 posted on 06/10/2017 2:23:59 PM PDT by editor-surveyor (Freepers: Not as smart as I'd hoped they'd be)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Mark17; metmom; ealgeone

.
>> “ I still can’t figure out, where I thought Jesus entered the picture.” <<

The Lamb of Yehova IS the picture!

That is exactly what is wrong with man made religion; it tries to replace the Lamb with a sinful man.
.


34 posted on 06/10/2017 2:30:44 PM PDT by editor-surveyor (Freepers: Not as smart as I'd hoped they'd be)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: editor-surveyor

“Nothing is “triune.” That is man made foolishness.

What a Rood (cultic) comment.


35 posted on 06/10/2017 2:35:34 PM PDT by aMorePerfectUnion
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 33 | View Replies]

To: Mark17; ealgeone
In thy hands I place my eternal salvation, and to thee I entrust my soul. Count me among thy most devoted servants; take me under thy protection, and it is enough for me. For, if thou protect me, dear Mother, I fear nothing; not from my sins, because thou wilt obtain for me the pardon of them; nor from the devils, because thou art more powerful than all hell together; nor even from Jesus, my judge, because by one prayer from thee He will be appeased. But one thing I fear: that in the hour of temptation I may through negligence fail to have recourse to thee and thus perish miserably.

Where's Jesus in all this?

Here, in this little blasphemy.

Jesus is NOT our Judge.

He is NOT full of wrath and judgment that He must be appeased>

That is completely contrary to how Jesus is presented in Scripture.

36 posted on 06/10/2017 2:38:53 PM PDT by metmom ( ...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: BlessedBeGod; ealgeone
See what you're missing?

We are missing NOTHING.

Everything we have and everything we need is found in Christ.

When a person has Christ, that is all they need.

37 posted on 06/10/2017 2:40:29 PM PDT by metmom ( ...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies]

To: ReaganGeneration2; ealgeone
Hint: Mary and the saints exist to help YOU.

They can't help me or any other person.

Perhaps you don’t feel you need to ask for help. Are you sure you’re worthy of God’s saving grace?; so you are perfect and never slip up?

Nobody is worthy of God's saving grace.

He doesn't bestow it on people who are worthy or think they are worthy.

The very nature of grace is such that it's bestowed on the unworthy.

If something is given to someone who is worthy, it's wages due.

We don't need impotent, redeemed humans in heaven to intercede for us. We have Jesus and the Holy Spirit themselves interceding for us according to the will of God.

They are the only one in heaven who can help us anyways.

1 Timothy 2:5-6 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.

Romans 8:26-27 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

Romans 8:33-34 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

Hebrews 7:25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

38 posted on 06/10/2017 2:45:38 PM PDT by metmom ( ...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: metmom
When a person has Christ, that is all they need.

And everything else is icing on the cake.

39 posted on 06/10/2017 2:49:21 PM PDT by BlessedBeGod (To restore all things in Christ~~Appeasing evil is cowardice~~Francis is temporary. Hell is forever.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 37 | View Replies]

To: BlessedBeGod

Not necessarily so because the spiritual realm is not dessert.

There are demonic forces posing as angels of light and that want to deceive people.

They must be taken seriously.

Praying to others, saints and angels, and Mary, is demonically inspired. It is replacing God with a pantheon of lesser created being.

Looking to them for what we should be looking to the Father for is wrong, plain and simple.


40 posted on 06/10/2017 2:59:33 PM PDT by metmom ( ...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 39 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 181-194 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson