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Monthly Question Page
Q. When we pray, is it proper to address the Father or the Son? What about prayers that seem to drift back and forth from one to the other?
A. Usually we pray to the Father in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Here is the Lord’s instruction to His disciple just before He left them to go to the cross and return to heaven: “And whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do … That whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in My name, He may give it you … ” (John 14:13; 15:16).
However, there are times when it is proper to pray directly to the Lord Himself. For example, “He is the head of the body” (Colossians 1:18). As such we look to Him for direction as the members of His body here on earth. Also, when it comes to blessing and provision in gospel work, He is “Lord of the Harvest” As such He says: “Pray ye therefore the Lord of the Harvest, that He will send forth laborers into His harvest” (Mathew 9:38).
While we may go back and forth from addressing the Father and the Son, we want to be careful not to confuse the persons of the Godhead. For example: To thank the Father for dying for us is simply not intelligent or accurate.
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