Christians: serious question?

Question

I understand the trinity, but if all are one, then why MUST you pray through Jesus to get to the Father? If they are one and the same, why can't you just pray to God? And how come no one ever prays to the Holy Ghost?

Answer 1

  

Timothy 2:5 " For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;"  

Answer 2

Good question about praying to the Holy Spirit. A pastor of mine did a whole sermon on this a while back where he pointed out that we neglect to pray to the Holy Spirit. I had never thought about that. Now I try to remember to. But I still forget.

Yes, they are all the same. But each has a purpose and role. So we should pray to each one accordingly. But I think God understands our prayers as long as we pray to any one of three. I don't think He's going to get too nit-picky about that.

Good question.

Answer 3

They are One, yes. But they are also three. I have not seen anywhere in scripture where you MUST pray through Jesus. When Jesus gave us His model for prayer, He prayed, "Our Father..."

andrew--yes, He is a mediator for salvation "no man comes to the Father but by Me..." however, the model and the scripture below suggest that both addressees are valid. After all Jesus and the Father are one. He also said in John 16:26 "In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you."

andrew - I agree, you are too quick to thumbs down people.

Answer 4

Jesus is the only way to the Father, because He is the only one who is God and man. He is the mediator between us and our Father. He died, so that God could declare us justified in Christ.

(Joh 14:6) "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

(Eph 2:18) "For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father."

Autumn: If you pray to Jesus, or to the Holy Spirit, it's not like God isn't going to listen to you, but God set it up so that you you pray to the Father, through Jesus, and by the Spirit. That's how it works.

If you are asking a serious question, then you are looking for truth, not just opinions. That's why I quoted you Scripture.

Answer 5

The father and the son are in agreement through the indwelling of the Holy spirit. The son was raised in between heaven and earth which is symbolic of the fact that he is the mediator between the Father of lights and man. He intercedes on our behalf asking the father for us for we no not how to talk to God. The Holy spirit intercedes in groans and moans and speaks in ways that we don't understand. Thank you Jesus for the indwelling of the Holy spirit.

Answer 6

Here is an excerpt from Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis. i think it answers.

An ordinary christian kneels down to say his prayers. he is tryiing to get into touch with God. But if he is a Christian he knows that what is prompting him to pray is also God:God, so to speak, inside him. but he also knows that all his real knowledge of God comes through Christ, the Man who was God-that Christ is standing beside him, helping him to pray, praying for hiim. you see what is happening. God is the thing to which he is praying- the goal he is trying to reach. God is also the thing inside him which is pushing him on-the motive power. God is also the road or bridge along which he is being pushed to that goal. so that the whole three-fold life ot the three-personal Being is actually going on in that ordinary little bedroom where an ordinary man is saying his prayers.

i hope that helps somewhat.

you are praying to God, because the Holy Spirit, which is in you is urging you to, and Jesus is the bridge who connects us to the Father.

Answer 7

Actually, people DO pray to them individually.  They sort of have different functions, although they overlap.  General praise and thanksgiving are usually reserved for the Father.  Specific material intentions are often presented to the Son.  You pray more passively to the Spirit, without any intention other than to be inspired.  ("Come, Holy Spirit," is a common refrain.)

Answer 8

John 6:44 in the King James version says: "No man can come to me, except the Father which has sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day." God sent His Son Jesus to teach the truth, and perform miracles, so there was proof of His existence. He had to die for our sins along with this, so we could not only believe, but repent and rebuke past and present sins. Then we can ask and receive Jesus into our hearts as our Lord and Savior. Because of the death of Jesus for the repentence as just mentioned, we are instructed to pray to Him to get to God. Jesus is the part of God who shed His blood for us, so it is only right to pray this way, if you think about it. God has His own methods of doing things, and how and what He expects of us. We have to accept that. When we do these important steps, we are commanded to be Baptised to receive The Holy Spirit of God. We all have a spirit, and so does God. That is the only form to which He can enter us. When you feel this prescence, it will all make sense to you. Then God will talk directly to you, as promised. It is a trip, believe me, but we have to understand that God is all powerful. The fact people do not realize this, is beyond me. I say, receive Him in this way, and tell me this isn't a fact. This is not directed at you, but to anyone who has not experienced this wonder, and it is at that. Love, Ivy

Answer 9

Good question.  When we pray we do pray to the father but the bible says that we pray in Jesus name.  This tells us that because of Jesus we can pray to the father.  Theres one verse that says something along the lines of "all prayers shall be answered if asked in Jesus name."  Now this doesnt mean God will answer us the way we want him to.

Concerning the Holy Spirit Jesus never taught us to pray to the Holy Spirit.  Jesus always declared the father greater than him, and after Jesus ascended it was the Holy Spirit that came down to man.  The spirit is what dwells inside a Christian (should anyway).  Jesus always taught the desciples to pray to the father (Our father which art in heaven...etc.)

God bless