Who’s On The Line? ATP
Have you ever had this question? “I’ve always been a little confused on when should we pray to Jesus and when to pray to God, are there specific times we pray to one or the other or do we just always pray to our Father in heaven in the name of the Lord?”
This same thing used to confuse me! Aren’t you glad (I know I am) that we have answers in the Word? It seems as though God knew what we would need ahead of time! In John 16:23-24, Jesus made it plain, “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. Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” We have to understand a few things, then this will make sense.
Jesus died to gain us entrance to Heaven. This entrance was not only for when we die, though praise God it is included. Jesus said in John 10:10 that He came to give us abundant life. Prayer is our doorway to all Heaven has to offer us.
In Heaven there is no need for abundant life to be given because Heaven is in the presence of God and in His presence there is no lack. Sin drove us from God’s presence thus separating us from that supply. Jesus bridged the gap between us and God. If you remember, when we look to the first chapter of Genesis, God blessed man with everything they would ever need. It wasn’t until sin entered the human race that flow was cut off.
What Jesus did when He died and rose again was gain the authority man lost to satan and then in turn, transferred this authority to us as a gift of grace. His name IS the authority. The apostle Paul said in Philippians 2:9, “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name.” So then we do what we’ve always done, ask the Father, but now we use the name of Jesus because the name is our place of connection to Him.
That said, we know also that there are many different types of prayers and we would do well to utilize them. For example, when praying in the Holy Ghost or in tongues, we don’t necessarily use the name of Jesus because it is a different type of prayer. However, when we are praying in the Spirit it is right and good to speak to the Holy Spirit as a person because He IS. For example we could say, “Holy Spirit you are my Teacher and my Helper. I ask you to show me this or that or help me pray this or that out.”
The Bible promises us that if we pray God’s will, we will always receive. The problem is, we don’t always know. Romans 8:26 tells us, “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” We need to remember that the Holy Ghost is the part of God who is here with us today. Jesus is not here, He is seated in Heaven next to the Father. If we neglect The Holy Ghost and His prayer, then we limit the effectiveness and ability of our prayer. Also, we limit our ability to hear God’s response.
Many Christians pray to God in Jesus name and never receive their answer. This does not happen because God didn’t answer, it happens because they never learned to hear. The Holy Ghost is the one who speaks to us today. Remember what John 16:13 says? “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.” God wants us to hear. We need to hear because many times the answer is found in His instruction. So pray to God in Jesus name and pray in the Spirit to receive your answer. Knowing God by His methods makes every prayer effective every time!
Be Blessed,
Pastor Jeff
How do you deal with strife in the church in the aspect of jealousy? How do you deal with someone who seems to try to one up you? I think I should know how to deal with/handle this, but I don’t. I am really struggling to find a solution.
