Turn to the Father
As we come to this midway point of 2009, the times for our world are becoming fearful and difficult. For the true follower of Christ, we should strive to retain the focus of our joy; knowing that soon our earthly misery will pass (John 12:25), as we enter into the joy of our Lord (Matthew 25:21,23).
We need every Word of God to survive; to take the best advantage of all the promises He has given to us. Even as we bring forth God’s truths to you, laboring in the Word and doctrine (I Timothy 5:17), my wife and I are being constantly challenged to live the words we preach! In other words, we must keep growing.
Prayer is the key to our victory, for this is how we access the wisdom and power of God to overcome the world—and our own sinful natures. In Jesus’ earthly ministry, He tells us how to come in prayer…
There has been some confusion in this area, and it is ungodly (I Corinthians 14:33). Jesus tells us to go to God the Father in prayer; not to Himself (Jesus).
Our relationship with God comes about only because of His son Jesus. We love His son dearly for His obedient life and sacrifice, which is the atonement for our sins. But it seems then that many continue to turn directly to Jesus in prayer after their salvation, which is not what we are instructed to do! Some new age Bible versions add confusion by changing Christ’s words; some verses say to pray Jesus, other verses say to direct prayer to the Father. The King James Bible, the true Word of God, has no such contradiction! Jesus makes it clear that we are to pray to God the Father.
Jesus is second in authority to God the Father. The Father instructs, and Jesus takes up the action so directed. The Holy Spirit is power for our lives, and the revealer of God’s purpose to us.
In the upper room, with only the eleven true disciples (context is important!), Jesus gives these words;
And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you. And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. John 16:22,23
When Jesus says that He will see them again, it plainly is referring to His rising from the dead (whole text; verses 20-22). He declares that at this point, the disciples will ask Him nothing! Instead, they (we—true disciples) will ask the Father in Jesus’ name—and we will receive it.
Jesus explains further, adding emphasis to what He has already said;
At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you: For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God. John 16:26,27
Jesus tells us that we shall ask in His name, but it doesn’t mean that He will ask for us when we do. God the Father loves us, because we love His Son, and we are to go directly to Him in prayer.
Even now, I can hear people protesting. They will argue, “Aren’t Jesus and God the Father the same being?” Or, “Is that detail important? God knows my heart.”
My answer is that we are to follow what God plainly shows us in His Word in faith; in other words, we may not completely understand! Today we use much technology without really knowing how it works—yet the benefit is still there for us, as we follow the instructions. John 16:24 tells us of the rewarding benefit of praying to God the Father, as Jesus instructs.
And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. John 16:23,24
Jesus said that if anyone loves Him, they will keep His words (John 14:23—same time frame!). In the very next verse (John 14:24) Jesus says “He that loveth me not, keepeth not my sayings…” If you really do love Jesus, you must follow what He has said to do—it is truly what is for our own best welfare.
One final note; to pray in Jesus’ name is not to consider them to be magic words by which we attain the object of our prayers! Coming to God the Father in Jesus’ name really means to approach God on the basis of our relationship with His Son. This does not happen by merely uttering certain words. The very reason that God will hear and answer our prayers is based upon the merit and worth of Christ alone. We don’t approach God as His children, demanding our rights! We are His children, yet adopted through the precious sacrifice of His Son; this is how we ask in Jesus’ name.
P.S.- It is my calling to turn the professing people back to the Word of God, in obedience to it. Many will be surprised at how far away we have slipped! I have known of those true believers which do turn toward God in the name of Jesus alone. I must conclude therefore, that this is not an issue which bears significant eternal consequences for God’s people. It could be argued that Jesus never actually forbids us to pray to Him. Yet if they were reading and applying God’s Word as it is given, would they not arrive at the same conclusion that I have? It is a reflection of our love for Christ, when we believe Him at His Word, and seek to carry out all of the instructions that He gives. We are asked to obey in faith, not according to our understanding and approval.
WARNING: To avoid Satan’s snares and deceptions, return to the pure Word of God; which is the King James Bible. Revised translations are not small word alterations meant to bring clarity! Major doctrinal changes have occurred, which will tend to bring doubt and destroy your faith. To follow these new “versions” of the truth, is to build your spiritual house upon sand, and become as the ones reflected in Matthew 7:21-23. Please use this entire passage, Matthew 7:21-27.
Satan means to deceive you into sincerely following his alternate “truth.” You are really being set up to fall, and serve the antichrist.
Pray and seek God diligently in this matter; for time is short. See also our Word of God section and the section on A Sure Salvation vs. Eternal Security.