Originally posted by Seth&Mattsmom:
You know it helps a lot. I pray to the Father, not to Jesus, because it is the way that Jesus taught us to pray. I wasn't thinking about this and I am looking forward to going back through the gospels to refresh myself of how Jesus subjected himself to the Father's lead. Also the Spirit speaks what he hears, right? Yep, I need to go back and refresh.
Thank you
I hope what I write here will help you as you study His Word.
Seth&Mattsmom, when you go back, please remember to look beyond the Lord's Prayer. Also remember to "come back" to what Jesus Christ says from heaven.
In your study please endeavor to determine to whom it is that Jesus is talking to while he was on earth as man.
Please understand the Jew went direct to the Father before being told otherwise. We cannot do that.
Please notice His Apostles
at that time were not told to "pray in the sake of Jesus' name".
Please notice the Lord's Prayer is not to be a chant, and we are warned of saying prayers over, and over, and over again in repetition. Jesus tells us [/I]"But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that
they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask Him. After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name"………,[/I] (Matthew 6:7-9).
The Apostles were to pray this prayer for the "kingdom was at hand". That meant they would be praying that prayer in the "tribulation" that would come for the "kingdom was at hand". We can be sure of one thing, they would never do as the "heathen" and keep repeating this every time they met, or every time they prayed. Was this the only prayer they were to say? Here in Matthew Jesus says "in this manner". In the Catholic church, and many other churches, they repeat this prayer over, and over. Some invoke this prayer every time the church holds services, and even in some Sunday schools. This is exactly what Christ said not to do.
And we see in verse 5 and 6 Jesus didn't ever intend this to be made a public prayer, and we do show our ignorance when we do.
"And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 6. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly."
As we search His Word we find further words on the matter of prayer to His Apostles. The time was getting near, and Jesus knew His people would refuse their King, their Messiah.
At the close of His earthly ministry our Lord gave these same disciples a further
revelation about prayer when He said,
"Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. 25. These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father. 26. At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you," John 16:24-26. We see what we call the "Lord's Prayer" has been negated.
God's Word is progressive, and we must discard the "Old" and dead things, for all things are "New". II Corinthians 5:16-17,
"Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. 17. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."
As we study we find we have no idea of what we should pray for - Romans 8:26. We find further enlightenment in thanks and asking in Ephesians 5:20,
"Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Chris". And notice verse 19 our conversation with Him is really a private matter. I believe most prayers we make to God are of thanks and praise for "all things" he has blessed us with, and we are to do this continually. Of course this does not negate our public prayer as we gather together to worship Him, but we are to make it short and to the point when praying in public, and not some printed out prayer, but from the heart.
God be with you as you study the "unsearchable riches of Christ".
