TO WHOM SHOULD WE PRAY?

Should you direct your prayers to the Lord Jesus Christ or to God the Father? If you study the Bible with this question in mind, countless references to one's personal prayer life come to the fore. 

Believers can 'boldly approach the throne of grace'. (Hebrews 4:16) 

It is where we offer the 'sacrifice of praise' (Hebrews 13:15), 'confess our sins' (1 John 1:9), express 'thanksgiving' (Colossians 4:2), and 'bring our petitions' (1 John 5:15).  

So, Who do we address?

1. Prayer is ordinarily directed to the Father.

The disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray ... And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. (Luke 11:2-4). 

Paul wrote ... For through Christ we both (Gentiles and Jews) have access by one Spirit unto the Father. (Ephesians. 2:18). 

The Spirit moves us to pray to the Father ... And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. (Galatians 4:6)  

Jesus cried out 'Abba, Father' in His own prayer (Mark 14:36) and when we use those same words, we acknowledge our adoption into the family of God. 

2. Prayer can also be directed to the Son.

There are several examples in the New Testament ... 

As Stephen was being stoned, he prayed, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit (Acts 7:59).  

Paul prayed to the Lord concerning his thorn in the flesh (2 Corinthians 12:8). 

John's closing prayer in Revelation ... Amen. Come, Lord Jesus (verse 22:20).

Considering all that Jesus means to us ... it would be odd for Christians never to address Him personally. 

And though there is no specific reference to praying to the Holy Spirit, we can infer that it is proper to do so. 

In essence, all prayer is directed to our 'triune' God - the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Prayer to one member of the Trinity is a prayer to all. For instance, when we pray to the Lord Jesus, we are also praying to the Father because according to Scripture ... they are One (John 10:30). 

It is equally important to recognize who we are not to approach in prayer. Some religions encourage their followers to address a variety of gods, dead relatives, and spirits. Roman Catholics in particular are taught to pray to Mary and various saints. This is idolatry. 

So, to whom are you to pray? 

There is no need to complicate the issue. Jesus, the Father, and the Holy Spirit represent the Godhead ... they all hear your prayer regardless of Who you address.