I Pray, In Jesus' Name

Stirring up trouble

Mention praying in a Christian crowd and you will invoke all kinds of emotions. Some will feel guilty, "I don't pray enough", some will feel insecure, "I don't know how to pray", some will rejoice, "I love to pray". All of these reactions are understandable--after all--praying is wonderful, yet serious business. It's talking with the creator of the universe.

With a little bit of knowledge it shouldn't be something feared, though. Jesus gave us everything we need. The most important thing He did was give us direct access to God the Father. We don't need priests or anybody else--we may go directly and boldly to the Father because of Jesus.

Free, clean and forgiven

See here in the book of Hebrews where we are told what has opened the door for us:
Hebrews 4:14-16 "Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need".
Do you realize what that says? That says, God, your Father, is waiting to talk with you. You are free, clean, forgiven and in the family. You have full and open access to talk with God.

So, with that in mind, how do we do it? Well, technically, there is no wrong way for His children to talk with Him, but it does help to understand a little about God, so we may speak more reverently or appropriately. God understands when we screw it all up, but at the same time, He is God and deserves some reverence.

Clarification

First we have to ask ourselves who we are talking with. God? The Father? The Son? The Holy Spirit? Well, we can talk with any of them, but there is a more normal pattern that is assumed in the scriptures. When Jesus specifically instructed how to pray, He said this:
Matthew 6:6-13 "But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen'".
This is pretty clear in instructing us to pray to our Father. While the content may change, Jesus gives us a general list about life's important issues.

Some important things Jesus teaches us here should not be missed.

• First: He tells us to pray to your Father in secret--in other words--don't make pretentious prayers to impress people within ear shot. We pray out loud together in church meetings, but this is not, should not, be to impress anyone, but rather to share our communication with each other. If all those listening agree with the prayers, we simply say, "amen", which means we agree. This is community prayer.

• Second: He tells us not to use meaningless repetition. In other words, speak normal.

• Third: He tells us that our Father knows what we need--even before we ask. This is slightly confusing and wonderfully beautiful at the same time. Confusing in that, why ask if He knows, but wonderful in that He knows us intimately. Like a parent, He knows what we need, but He loves to converse with us and hear us say our needs, desires and wants.

We're so confused

Sometimes we don't know what we need, desire or want; in these cases the Holy Spirit helps us. See here what it says in:
Romans 8:26-27 "In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God".
The Holy Spirit, who dwells within us, helps us. So, we pray to our Father with the help of the Spirit who dwells within us.

But what about Jesus?

Where does this leave Him? Well, He is sitting at the right hand of our Father interceding for us. See here:
Romans 8:34 "...Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us".
When we pray, or come before God's throne, our Father says, "What right do you have to come before me"? Jesus, sitting right there, says, "They are mine, Father. I died for them. They come in My name". You see, this is why we pray, "In Jesus' name". We have no right to be there in our own righteousness--in our name--but only in Jesus' name.

Be bold

So, as you pray, come boldly to God your Father, in the name of Jesus, with the help of the Holy Spirit. You can do it. You should do it. Talk with your Father today--talk with your Father often.