What is the Address?

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"Whatever you ask the Father in My Name He will give you" (Jn 16:23)

Whom to address in prayer, is a lesson that must be learnt at the very commencement of Christian life. During the days of Jesus on earth, the disciples straightaway asked Him whatever they wanted. But pointing to the new dispensation which Pentecost would usher in, Jesus said, "In that day you will ask Me nothing... whatever you ask the Father in My Name He will give you. Until now you have asked nothing in My Name" (Jn 16:23,24).

Eventhough Jesus is the One who baptizes us with the Holy Spirit, He has directed us to ask "the Father" for this gift (Lk 11:13). The early Christians prayed "to" the Father (Acts 4:24-30). The apostolic teaching is clear: "Through Him (Jesus) we have access BY one Spirit TO the Father" (Eph 2:18). Paul writes of his own prayer practice: "I bow my knees TO the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Eph 3:14).

God Almighty is our Eternal Father. Christ Jesus is our Elder Brother. The Holy Spirit is our Executive Helper (Heb 2:10-12; Jn 16:17). We pray "to" the Father, "thro" the Son, "by" the power of the Spirit. The Trinitarian Godhead is best understood in the context of prayer. Our prayers are addressed to the Father who is in Heaven. They are advocated by the Son who is seated at His right hand. They are assisted by the Holy Spirit who is right here on earth in us (Heb 7:25; Rom 8:26,34). What a picture! What a privilege!

Does it mean we cannot pray "to" Jesus? No. There are prayers in the Bible addressed to Him (Acts 7:59; Rev 22:20). But it is more an exception than a rule. Jesus is God. But the clear teaching in the Scriptures is to pray "to" the Father "thro" Jesus. Let us not hesitate to shed down our traditions, though cherished long, to become more and more Biblical.

Can we praise Jesus? Of course, yes. We should. But the ultimate worship is to the Father. See Jn 4:23; Eph 3:21; 5:20; Phil 2:11; Col 1:3,12. Here's the final stage: "Now when all things are subject to Him (Jesus), then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all" (1 Cor 15:28).

Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord,
let the earth hear His voice!
Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord,
let the people rejoice! 
O, Come to the Father thro' Jesus the Son,
And give Him the glory—great things He hath done!
(Fanny J. Crosby, 1820-1915) 

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