Jess Whitlock
Paul wrote, “I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also” (1 Cor. 14:15c). It is possible to sing error, as well as to teach error. Jesus taught us how to pray saying, “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven…” (Matt. 6:9). When the disciples of Christ asked Him to teach them how to pray, our Lord said, “…when ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven…” (Luke 11:2). Paul instructs us in clarion tones, “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father…” (Eph. 5:20).
I am unable to find one single reference to New Testament Christians ever addressing a prayer to Jesus Christ. We address our prayers to God the Father, and do so by the name of, i.e., by the authority of, Jesus Christ, His Son. “Whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in My name…” (John 15:16d cf. 14:13; 16:23). The inspired Paul wrote, “First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all…I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord…” (Rom. 1:8; 7:25).
Contrast the Bible’s teaching with the admonition of the songs, I Must Tell Jesus and Just A Little Talk With Jesus. The former says, “I must tell Jesus! Jesus can help me, Jesus alone.” Jesus alone? What happened to the Father? The latter song teaches clearly, “I go to Him (Jesus jlw) in prayer, He knows my every care, and just a little talk with Jesus makes it right.” How can it be right to address Jesus in prayer, when it was Jesus Himself that taught us to pray “our Father”? Just because a song appears in a songbook does not assure scriptural teaching.
Years ago I became involved in a discussion on whether or not it is right to sing the song, Just A Little Talk With Jesus. The brother told me that he liked the melody! I responded that lots of our brethren like mechanical instruments of music. I asked if we could bring in the piano and organ and use them next Sunday. He said, “No.” Then, he argued that Stephen “prayed to Jesus.” I asked where Stephen ever prayed to Jesus? He read Acts 7:59-60. It is an assumption to say that Stephen’s words (“Lord Jesus, receive my spirit”) was a prayer to Jesus. Stephen was not engaged in prayer. He was preaching. He was being stoned for telling the truth. In Acts 7:55 we learn that Stephen “…being full of the Holy Spirit, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God.”
Jesus Christ was a witness to the brutal death of Stephen. Christ initiated this heavenly vision. The words that Stephen spoke to Jesus Christ should not be misconstrued as a prayer. The text nowhere states it is a prayer. If so, where? If you are going to “pray” in the same manner that he “prayed” you must see Jesus in a heavenly vision. If not, why not?
Some will contend that to “call on the name of the Lord or Jesus” is a prayer to Jesus (Acts 2:21; 9:14, 21; Rom. 10:13; 1 Cor. 1:2). Sometimes this phrase simply identifies the followers of Jesus. His “name” is often used to show that we have the Lord’s authority or approval. If these passages are referring to a prayer prayed to Jesus (or even God the Father); then we have found authority for the so-called “sinner’s prayer.” That denominational terminology has affected many among the people of the Lord today.
In John 14:13-14 Jesus made it plain for all to see, “And whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in My name, that will I do.” As already seen, Jesus taught us to pray to the Father through His name. In John 14:15 Christ says that if we love Him we will keep His commands! Let your fingers do the walkin’ and let the Bible do the talkin’. “And I will pray the Father…” (John 14:16). There are myriad passages of Jesus praying to His Father. However, I have been unable to find even one passage of scripture wherein Jesus Christ prayed to Himself! Not the first one. It’s not there.
Well done article. I understand your rationale relative to Stephen, however, I do believe he offered up prayer as he knew his end was nigh. Whether he did or didn’t is inconsequential. Jesus gave his followers an example of how to pray, and appropriately defined God as the father (which he is), while himself identifying as the Son (which he is), but made no mention of the Spirit (which is His), which had not been bestowed upon the followers at that time. His example prayer was appropriate relative to the understanding of the people he was preaching to, however, a simple review of the first few verses of the gospel according to John will reveal that He was there from the beginning, and He and the Father are one (as is the Spirit). Jesus was God’s revelation to mankind, where His natire could be seen. To convey that this song is erroneous due to the prayer not being offered to the appropriate entity is a misunderstanding of scripture, in my opinion, but please offer a rebuttal as you seem well educated. I am a proud member of the church of Christ, by the way, as I believe you to be also.
Brother John Inman, I appreciate your comments in regards to what I wrote about the song, “Just a Little Talk with Jesus.” Paul commands us “to sing with the spirit and to sing with the understanding also” (1st Cor. 14:15). This “little talk” is indeed a prayer and that prayer is prayed to Jesus. The song says so. The song says much more. In the first stanza it is admitted we were “lost in sin but Jesus took me in…light from heaven filed my soul…wrote my name above…” so here we have a man saved with his name apparently inscribed in the book of life, with no mention of baptism. How did that happen?
In the second stanza it is stated the “mist of sin may rise and hide the starry skies, but just a little talk with Jesus clears the way.” Now, we have sin “cleared” and there is no mention made of repentance, nor confession, nor baptism.
The third stanza insists “I go to Him (i.e., Jesus) in prayer, He (i.e., Jesus) and just a little talk with Jesus makes it right.” Now your entire life is made right because of prayer? The denominations have a “Sinner’s Prayer” that supposedly gives one salvation without God’s plan of salvation! How does that happen?
I agree in the oneness of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. But I cannot ignore the teaching of Jesus Christ, the Son. Christ taught His disciples how to pray (Matt. 6:9-ff; Luke 11:1-ff). He did not tell them to pray to Him (Jesus Christ), nor to the Holy Spirit, not to angels, nor to mother Mary, nor to some saint, et al. He did teach them to pray to God the Father, in (through, by) His name! As you know, that means by His authority. Jesus commanded his disciples to pray in His name (John 16:23-24). You cannot sever Christ from prayer…the Bible teaches Christians to pray to God the Father, through or by the authority, in the name of Jesus. He taught the disciples to pray when He said unto them, “When ye pray, say our Father…” (Luke 11:1-2).
Christ is our Advocate, our Mediator with God the Father (1st Tim. 2:5; 1st John 2:1). Christ is our High Priest today (Heb. 4:14-15). The apostle Paul made it plain, “Giving thanks always for all things UNTO God and the Father IN THE NAME of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Eph. 5:20). Frequently Paul wrote by inspiration “thanks be unto God” (1st Cor. 15:57; 2nd Cor. 2:14; 8:16; 9:15).
If one has authority to pray TO Jesus Christ, then I must ask THROUGH whom do you pray? If one prays TO Jesus Christ, then what will you do with the “model prayer” that directly charges us to pray TO the FATHER?
May I submit that it is unquestionably safe and right to address our prayers TO God the Father and to do so by, through (in the authority) of Jesus Christ my Lord and my Savior!
In order to “sing with the Spirit and with the understanding also” I personally, will and cannot and do not sing the song: “Let Us Have a Little Talk with Jesus.”
Jess Whitlock
Hey, Brother John!
Prayer is one of the most sacred privileges given to the Christian, and the Bible leaves no confusion about its divine order: we pray to the Father through the Son.
When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He began, “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven…” (Matthew 6:9; Luke 11:2). This was not a suggestion; it was a command and a model. After His resurrection, He was even more specific: “Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you” (John 16:23).
The apostles followed this same pattern. Paul wrote, “For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 3:14), and again, “We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you” (Colossians 1:3). They prayed through Christ because He is our one Mediator (1 Timothy 2:5) and our High Priest who gives us access to the Father’s throne (Hebrews 4:14-16).
Some point (as did you) to rare exceptions, such as Stephen’s final words in Acts 7:59, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” But Stephen was in a unique, visionary moment, seeing Jesus standing at God’s right hand (Acts 7:55-56). This is more like a face-to-face speech than the faith-based prayer of Matthew 6:6. Even Paul’s “I besought the Lord” (2 Corinthians 12:8) is in a context of direct revelation, not the church’s public or daily prayer model.
In the public worship assembly, women are not authorized by Scripture to lead prayer. Paul’s instructions in 1 Timothy 2:8-12 limit the role of leading in the assembled church to men, grounding this in creation order and God’s design. While women may and should pray privately or in settings that do not violate God’s order, leading public prayer in the mixed assembly is a function of spiritual leadership reserved for men, in harmony with 1 Corinthians 14:34-35.
The New Testament gives a consistent pattern: To the Father (Matthew 6:9; Ephesians 3:14; Colossians 1:3), Through the Son (John 16:23; 1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 4:14-16). We honor God’s authority by praying in the way He instructs. Occasional exceptions in Scripture do not change the rule that Jesus Himself set. To pray biblically is not merely to “talk to God,” but to approach Him in the manner He commands: to the Father through the Son. If we do not pray the way He authorized, we will not receive anything He promised.
Brother Jess..
The context of John 16:23 — “you shall ask me nothing” — is not dealing with whether or not one may “address” Jesus in prayer.
Rather, the Lord was emphasizing to the disciples that the questions bothering them at the moment (cf. Jn. 16:17), later, with the coming of the Holy Spirit, would be perfectly clear to them. Hence, there would be no need for inquiries of the type they were posing.
The fact that later on addresses are made to the Lord establishes the fact that John 16:23 does not speak to that issue.
“The Lord did not mean that no prayer must be offered to Him afterwards. They did address Him in prayer, Acts 1:24; 7:59; 9:13 etc.” (Vine 1961, 154).
In John 14:14, Christ, speaking in anticipation of his ascension back to the Father, promised the disciples:
“If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it” (ESV).
The pronoun “me” is omitted in some Greek texts, but, as Bruce Metzger has noted, “The word me is adequately supported.” He cites some of the oldest and best manuscript witnesses, and adds that “me seems to be appropriate in view of its correlation with ego [ “I” ] later in the verse” (Metzger, 244).
For further discussion see: Hovey, Robertson, Lenski, Hendriksen, Morris, etc. See also the following translations: NKJVfn, NRSV, NASB, Beck, Goodspeed, McCord, Phillips, Weymouth, Wuest; cf. also the Greek Texts of Lachmann, Tischendorf, and the latest text of Aland, et al.
Some claim it would be absurd for Christ to authorize a prayer “to” him and yet instruct that such be “in Jesus name” (Workman, 123). This quibble reveals that the author does not understand the significance of the phrase “in Jesus’ name.” It is the equivalent of “by my authority” (cf. Mt. 10:1; Mk. 16:17; see also Col. 3:17).
There is nothing at all absurd about the Lord asking us to pray consistent with his authority when approaching him in prayer.
In Stephen’s prayer.. Is one permitted to do that which intrinsically is wrong — just because the circumstances associated with the event are miraculous? And how can Stephen’s requests be considered a mere conversation, rather than elements of prayer?
Guy N. Woods characterized the “view that a person cannot address a petition of any kind to Christ” as “absurd” and as a reflection of “nit-picking.” He cited the example of Stephen’s prayer as contrary evidence (Davidson, 272; cf Woods, 39).
Brother Mosby,
I was taught early in life that prayer is a blessed privilege reserved for New Testament Christians. Proper prayer is addressed to God, our heavenly Father, it is God the Son who mediates (1st Tim. 2:5), and God the Holy Spirit who intercedes (Rom. 8:26). The children of God are the petitioners. I was not aware, until I received your rebuttal, that the Bear Valley Bible Institute was teaching that we can pray our prayers directly to Jesus Christ.
The well-known “Sinner’s Prayer” often begins by saying, “Jesus, come into my heart…” That prayer is recorded in Titus 7:19! Let me state that I do not deny that Jesus is God, one of the three members of the Godhead three (Gen. 1:26; Matt. 1:22-23; John 1:1-4; Col. 2:9).
In the Sermon on the Mount Christ taught us to pray: “Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name” (Matt. 6:9). We respect God as Deity, the Creator, the Maker of All, the Father of All, Lord God Almighty. How can the Christian refuse to obey Jesus and have His blessing (John 14:15: 15:14). We approach God the Father in prayer through our divine Mediator, our Advocate, our Intercessor, and High Priest (1st Tim. 2:1-8; Heb. 4:14-16). To pray to the Father in the name of Jesus means that we appeal to His authority as the one Mediator between God and man!
Jesus never prayed to Himself. His prayers were always directed to the Father in heaven. Jesus taught: “But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thine inner chamber, and having shut the door, pray to thy Father…” (Matt. 6:6). “…pray our Father in heaven…” (Matt. 6:9). Jesus said to ask the Father in My name…” (John 15:16). I am unable to find a single occurrence of Jesus commanding His disciples to pray directly to Jesus!
The apostle Paul said, “First, I thank my GOD through Jesus Christ…” (Rom. 1:8-9). I could not find a verse where Paul said, “I thank Jesus Christ through my God…” Paul wrote again, “I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ…” (Eph. 3:14). I could not find where Paul ever bowed his knees to Jesus Christ the Son of God. Paul and Silas “were praying and singing hymns to God…” (Acts 16:25). I am unable to understand why any Christian cannot see that acceptable prayer is prayed to God the Father by the authority of Jesus Christ.
When the disciples of Christ requested Him, saying “Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1) Jesus said, “When ye pray, say, Father, Hallowed be Thy name.” (Luke 11:2). Again, I looked for a passage where Jesus taught anyone to pray by stating, “When ye pray, say Jesus Christ…”
Jesus always knew what His disciples were thinking (John 16:17-19). The ascension of Jesus would be followed by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on His apostles. “Howbeit, when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He shall guide you into all the truth…” (John 16:13). “In that day” (John 16:23) the disciples would have no further need to ask Jesus directly as they had done. When that time arrived, they were to ask the Father and were to do so in the name of Jesus, i.e., by His authority!
In Acts 1:24 the text says, “They prayed, and said, Thou Lord, who knowest the hearts of all men…” They were praying to the Father. Luke records for us that “God, who knoweth the heart, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Spirit, even as He did unto us.” (Acts 15:8). I have read and re-read Acts 9:10-19 and am unable to find the words of verse 13 ever referred to as being a prayer.
Paul wrote, “Brethren, my heart’s desire and my supplication to God is for them, that they may be saved.” (Rom. 10:1). Why did he not make supplication to Jesus Christ? In John 14:13-14 we are taught to ask anything in the name of Jesus means to ask it by His authority (John 8:29). Then Jesus said to His disciples, “And I will pray the Father…” Notice please, that He did not say “I will pray to Myself…” Prayer is properly addressed to the God the Father (Matt. 6:6; John 16:23; Eph. 1:17; 3:14). Prayer is to be offered in the name of the Lord Jesus (John 14:13). That brings up another question: “If we are to pray our prayers directed to Jesus the Christ, when we come to close of that prayer then by whose authority is the prayer to be concluded?”
Jess Whitlock