How to Address God and the Lord Jesus in Prayer

 •  4 min. read  •  grade level: 10
Every Christian is taught by the Spirit to address God as Father, although some are inhibited by faulty teaching and are afraid to thus speak. We, however, know that it is correct to address our prayers, supplications, and thanksgivings to our God and Father in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ (Eph. 5:2020Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; (Ephesians 5:20)).
There are recorded instances of the apostles praying to the Lord Jesus, and there are principles upon which we may correctly do the same. The Apostle Paul, as the Lord's servant, addressed his request to the Lord that the thorn given to him for the flesh might be removed. It seems that the affliction was something which was a hindrance to him in his service (or at least he judged that it was), so he says, "For this thing I besought the Lord thrice" (2 Cor. 12:88For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. (2 Corinthians 12:8)). It was just and right for a servant to go to his Lord about anything connected with the service which he was to render; so may we address our Lord concerning any service for Him. "Ye serve the Lord Christ." Col. 3:2424Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. (Colossians 3:24).
The martyr Stephen when about to leave this scene addressed his Lord, saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." What could be more suitable than for a servant to thus end his service-to commit his spirit to Him. He further requested of the Lord, "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge." Acts 7:59, 6059And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. 60And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. (Acts 7:59‑60).
The Lord is the Head of the Church, and we may address Him regarding matters concerning His assembly. He is the One who has ascended on high and given gifts to men. The Lord in speaking of the need for harvest hands, said, "Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth laborers into His harvest." Matt. 9:3838Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest. (Matthew 9:38). How different much of our service would be if we had the consciousness of our being sent of the Lord, that we were acting under His orders, and that we sought His guidance and succor at all times.
We well understand that we are to give thanks to God for His unspeakable gift-His beloved Son (2 Cor. 9:1515Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. (2 Corinthians 9:15))-but are we not to lift our voices in praise to Him of whom we can say, "The Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me"? Gal. 2:2020I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20). Rev. 1:55And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, (Revelation 1:5) and 6 is an anthem of praise to the Son: "Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father; to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever."
In the last chapter of Revelation, after the Lord has spoken of Himself as "I Jesus"-the One who is the same yesterday, today, and forever-there is a loving response from the Church to Himself: "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come." Then He adds, "Surely I come quickly," and the bride responds, "Amen, Even so, come, Lord Jesus." (see Rev. 22:12-2012And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. 13I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. 14Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. 15For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. 16I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. 17And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. 18For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. 20He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. (Revelation 22:12‑20)).
We should desire to pray intelligently and be able to address our God and Father by the Spirit in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and in suitable connections to address prayers, supplications, and giving of thanks to the Lord Jesus. Distinctions in addressing the Father and in addressing the Son should be made, as when speaking of the Father's sending and giving His Son, and in speaking of the Son's giving Himself for us.
It would be well, however, to add a word of caution here. We would not discourage the feeblest saint from praying-and praying without fear of making mistakes. The Father understands the heart and, though our expressions may be faulty, He loves to hear those Spirit-begotten breathings addressing Him as Father. The Lord too knows all about our frailty and lack of understanding. The overflow of a full heart or the confiding expressions of a burdened heart mean more than intellectual exactness from a cold heart or routine prayers about difficulties in general. May the Lord grant us fervor of spirit in our prayers and praise, and also give us in measure to express ourselves more in accordance with His Word.