Академический Документы
Профессиональный Документы
Культура Документы
Praying to Jesus
The oldest surviving fragment of an early Christian
liturgical prayer is probably "Our Lord,
come" (Maranatha, I Corinthians 16:22; compare
Revelation 22:20); it implies that prayer was
addressed to the risen, glorified Christ. The Aramaic
title Mar or Lord (Greek Kyrios; I Corinthians 12:3)
was a term or title regularly used in religious
worship. (Encyclopedia Americana, Trinity, p116)
T = thankgiving
S = supplication (asking)
It is clear that the pattern of making requests "S." appears to be universally directed towards the Father.
Although there are a few verses that may justify even asking Jesus directly, (1 Jn 5:11-15 Acts 1:24 for ex.)
these appear to be weakened by Acts 4:26-31 and other verses but cannot be outright rejected any more than they
can be outright proof texts. I am satisfied that the majority, but not all of the evidence is that we direct our
requests solely to the Father. Yet we still need to grapple with Jesus own words, Jn 14:14 "If you ask Me
anything in My name, I will do it" (Jn 14:14 may be a textual variant in the Greek, but is properly translated in
the NASB.) Perhaps we need to think what "In the name of the Lord really means, perhaps we have wrongly
defined it.
2 Cor 12:7 is a passage that clearly and irrefutable has Paul praying to Jesus 3 times in a petition request.
"And because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from
exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet meto
keep me from exalting myself! 8 Concerning this I entreated the Lord three times that it might
depart from me. 9 And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected
in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of
Christ may dwell in me." (2 Cor 12:7-9: 7)
Notice this closely:
1. Paul entreated the LORD 3x
2. Although Lord could refer to the Father, we notice that God is the normal term to refer to the Father and
Lord is the normal term that refers to Christ. (See Eph 4:4-6).
3. This Lord whom Paul prayed to three times replied: "My (the Lord's) power is perfected in
weakness" (Lord is still either Father or son.)
4. The irrefutable proof is the contrast of Paul's weakness with the "Power of Christ" (which refers back to
Lord, to whom Paul was praying.)
5. Power of Christ is a direct reference back to the statement, "MY POWER is perfected in weakness.
6. After Paul prayed to the LORD, this same LORD said, "MY POWER (Christ's power) is perfected in
your weakness.
J. How are we to worship Jesus when we are forbidden from ever addressing him in any way at all.
K. Jesus is the "man in charge with all authority", but I cannot talk to him. I cannot talk to Christ who is my
head, my vine, my king, my Lord, my brother, my high priest, my physician, the bishop of my soul, my husband,
my counselor, my friend....???? Wow! That is quite a unique relationship!
L. By way of inference, Jesus, the one who is able to help in a time of need, hears us when we cry out to him
for help and he makes intercession to God on behalf of us. Is he making intercession only as he watches silently
from a distance to our plight? Or is he acting upon our specific requests! Catholics pray to the "saints" for
intercession, Christians pray Jesus for intercession. Heb 7:25 Hence, also, He is able to save forever those who
draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
M. The very last verse of the Bible ends with a prayer to Jesus: Rev 22:20 "Even so, come Lord Jesus" is an
example of prayer to Jesus.
N. The prayer of Acts 4:24f contained a quote from Psalm 2, a psalm clearly Messianic and referring to Jesus.
To say this prayer was directed to the Lord Jesus Christ is in complete harmony with Acts 4:24f.
Conclusion:
http://www.bible.ca/ntx-praying-to-jesus.htm (4 of 5)1/3/2009 7:16:12 PM
In conclusion you can pray to Jesus unless your definition of prayer is limited to making a specific request by
asking and you ignore the many commands and examples in the Bible.
Steve Rudd
Go To Start: WWW.BIBLE.CA