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I generally think on the Father and work on loving the Father. However recently (over the last 5 years), I hear people saying that I should think on and love Jesus. Whenever I pray I speak to the Father and then I end the prayer in Jesus' name. So I know that Jesus will relay my prayer to the Father and I know that the Holy Spirit works in me to help me pray because I dont know how to pray. I know that it is Christ who died for my sin and I do believe that His blood washes away my sin. Its just that while praying I dont imagine praying to two people (Father and Son) through the Holy Spirit.

My problem is this - Is it OK to pray and think on and love the Father without spending hardly any time thinking on the Son? (I do believe that Christ is God) I do love Jesus too but when I pray, I mostly concentrate on speaking to the Father. I have hardly ever prayed to the Son. I always pray to the Father in Jesus' name. Theoretically I know its the same, but what I mean to say is that Im not speaking to two people when I pray.

I hope this is not a ridiculous question.

Of course you are praying to one God - there is only one God! However, he has revealed himself in such a way that it is common Christian practice to pray to the Father, by the power of the Holy Spirit and in the name of the Son - as you have outlined. There are a couple of other threads on this topic - I am sorry but this is a quick n the run post! Maybe someone else will find them for you, or try a search of forum topics.

I personally think that we have "seasons" in our Christian journey where we focus on one "person" of the Trinity more than another. Jesus came and showed us what the Father is like ... so we spend time learning what Jesus reveals to us about the Father ... yet it is the Spirit who teaches us the truth about Jesus and who guides s in our daily lives ... and in all cases, we are learning to love God more. It is sort of circular and I think that reflects a little of the intricacies and the mystery that is one God whom we know as the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

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Avid Reader

“Lord, in my zeal for love of truth, let me not forget the truth about love.” - Thomas Aquinas
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that is the traditional way of prayer .... what I would call the 'formal' way of prayer, and it is good to do so.

But as your relationship with the Triune God grows, you will find yourself addressing One or Other of the Godhead, depending on circumstances.

For instance, when meditating on the Cross, surely it is appropriate to say "Thank You" directly to Jesus Himself, as well as thanking the Father for the gift of His Son.

When struggling in prayer, it is ok to call out ... "Holy Spirit, help me to pray" ... as well as asking the Father to send the Spirit to help you.

It is relationship, a relationship of love with God ... Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

And as Avid says, it is a matter of growth.

rejoice

Dinah

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I'm reopening this topic in hopes of additional clarification from my brothers and sisters in Christ. Like Kera, I feel incredibly stupid asking this. How do I reconcile the Trinity in prayer! I don't pray enough, but when I do I wonder if I am neglecting some person of the trinity. I usually do the standard "To Father" and end in "In Jesus' name, amen." For years, I addressed "God" "Lord" or "Father" and finished with the sign of the cross: "In the name of the Father (forehead), The Son (heart), and the Holy Spirit (crossing left shoulder to right). " Sometimes I do both and feel guilt because it seems too Catholic! LOL However, I see no theological problem. I no longer pray to Mary and the Saints

I can't help but feel that I maybe violating some cosmic etiquette! Any further thoughts are appreciated.
S

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Behold, now is "THE ACCEPTABLE TIME,"
behold, now is "THE DAY OF SALVATION" --
The apostle Paul, NASB

not really anything new .... there are several forms of prayer ... ranging from high liturgy, to formal prayers, to relational prayers, to family prayers, to prayers for help, prayers of thanksgiving, to children's prayers.

And each has a slightly different format. The usual format taught is to the Father, through the Son, in the power of the Spirit.

But it depends so much on your relationship with God (see my post above).

Something I have found helpful is to read the prayers in Scripture ... and then to pray them in your own words .... and don't worry, in this case, if you are truly sincere then you won't offend God .... what offends God is hypocrisy in prayer, and not obeying what we know and understand.

Do you have any particular concerns, or questions about prayer?

in Christ

Dinah

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Thanks Dinah,

You have explained much of this, thanks. My main formal prayer is The Lord's Prayer, in Jesus
name--can't go wrong with that one! But I often "talk" to god, mainly thanks, gratitude, petitions, help with making improvement, etc. It's the "talk" part that gets me wondering. Should I be talking to the Father or Jesus? I sometimes mix it up but I'm winging it. That's why I sometimes do the old Sign of the Cross. Covers the entire trinity at the same time you make the cross. Still, it's a closing thing.

I'm not neurotic about it, but I realize that I know little about how first rate prayers do it. Does this make sense? <g>
S

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Behold, now is "THE ACCEPTABLE TIME,"
behold, now is "THE DAY OF SALVATION" --
The apostle Paul, NASB

The reality is that, if you talk to one person of the Triune Godhead, you're talking to all of them, Serendipity. Given that fact, you can't go wrong!

Thanks Overcomer!
I feel better now. Vbg...

Ps
Did you ever find a good church after that nightmare experience?
S

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Behold, now is "THE ACCEPTABLE TIME,"
behold, now is "THE DAY OF SALVATION" --
The apostle Paul, NASB

my prayers usually begin with

Hey God, it's me again.....or Morning God......and every night ricky and I say our bedtime prayers..."Now I lay me down to sleep..." trust me when I say that he is very vocal about reminding me.. we says our prayers then I sing the chorus from "Good night sweet heart"

My 'prayers' are more conversational then formal. Thing is God hears them even if I don't open my mouth.

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Jennifer Dent
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Jennifer wrote:



That's the way with me, too. I natter away at God all day long the way I would if a human being sat on the chair opposite me.

Jennifer wrote:



Amen to that! Sometimes, at bad moments, I have only been able to groan out the name of Jesus and trust him to know what I need -- and he does!

There are times when I address Jesus specifically and thank him for coming to earth and for going to the cross. There are times when I tell him how much I am looking forward to that place he is preparing for me in heaven. Other times I have spoken directly to the Holy Spirit to thank him for his guidance in my life. As I said, if you pray to one person in the Trinity, you're praying to all of them.

Serendipity wrote:



I'm still hunting. The churches my friends and family members go to are older buidings with hard wooden pews. With my bad back, there's no way to be comfortable in them even with cushions. I tried and I was in agony.

Some churches are automatically out of the running because they have terrible parking and a lot of stairs to climb (which I can't handle). Again, these are older churches built before the days of elevators and handicap access.

There are a couple of non-denominational churches in the area, but they preach health and wealth theology and I want no part of that. I have been warned off the local Baptist Church because of the goings-on there. I have checked out the Pentecostal Church, but their services are SOOOOOO long!!! I can only handle them if I go late or leave early and miss half the service -- but half a service is better than none, isn't it?

Right now I am eyeing a little Lutheran Church. I have Lutheran friends, but have never attended one of their churches. I am thinking I will give that a shot. I just want a church where I can sit comfortably, hear a good sermon based in God's Word, have friendly people to surround me, and enjoy good music and a glorious time of worship. And not be told if I only had more faith I'd be healed!

One thing I have been able to do, for which I am grateful, is this: I have been able to attend Bible studies with small groups of women at the Pentecostal Church. The seats aren't bad and I can get up and walk around and do stretches, etc. without anybody minding. That fellowship is SO important.

And, of course, I do appreciate the fellowship and Bible-teaching of Bible.org. It is such a blessing to me to be part of this community. But I do long to find a church home where I can go and be part of a community face to face. It's funny, but when I was healthy, I used to visit shut-ins for my church. I had no idea that I myself would become one! If I were physically able, I'd go to church every day. I love being part of a church family.

Thanks for asking, Serendipity! Perhaps you could pray about that for me, that I find a church where I can bless others and be blessed myself.

Which synod is the Lutheran church?

Marv

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Marv
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I have no idea which synod the local Lutheran church is in, Marv. I don't know anybody who goes there and it doesn't have a web site. It's a fairly new church, but very tiny. There are only about 20 cars in the parking lot on a Sunday morning. It's practically across the street from me so I know these things! I thought I would just wander in some Sunday and see what it's like. So far that has been my approach to finding a church. Everything is just so physically difficult for me that it's discouraging.

You also wrote:
"Thanks for asking, Serendipity! Perhaps you could pray about that for me, that I find a church where I can bless others and be blessed myself."

Overcomer,
Consider it done! As I tried to tell Rusty, I'm in the same boat as both of you right now. Thanks to all for the prayer advice.
Is the Lutheran thing a trend? The brand new church built in my "neighborhood" is also a tiny, 20 car max, Lutheran Church (it's not a major denom out here). Very modern with a woman pastor. I forget the Synod. They just had out community flyers for a "blessing of the animals."
S

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Behold, now is "THE ACCEPTABLE TIME,"
behold, now is "THE DAY OF SALVATION" --
The apostle Paul, NASB

Pray to the Father, through the Son, by the Spirit.

However, God is a lot less interested in the structure of our prayers than the desire of our hearts as we pray.

can we pray to whom?
jesus christ?
mary?
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