Question:
When we pray, to Whom should we address our prayer? Father, Son, Holy Spirit? Why do we pray “in Jesus name”?—The Scriptures tell us to ask in His name in John 14:13, 14, and 16:24, 26.
Answer:
We are not told in the Scriptures to pray to the Spirit. We pray “with” the Spirit (1 Corinthians 14:15), and the Spirit intercedes for us “according to the will of God” (Romans 8:26, 27). And the Holy Spirit speaks to us through the Word and makes His mind known at special times according to the principles of the Word (1 Corinthians 2:13).
In John 16:26, Jesus says that He will not pray to the Father for the disciples but that they can go to their Father with their prayers themselves. Since His death, resurrection, and glorification, we by the Spirit (Who indwells every believer—Romans 8:9) now cry “Abba Father” (Romans 8:15). Jesus instructs us to pray, “Our Father” (Luke 11:2). Paul thanked “God” many times in his epistles (Colossians 1:3; 1 Thessalonians 1:2; etc).
We also now have the privilege to pray to the Lord Jesus Christ. (A) Stephen prayed to Jesus, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit…Lord lay not this sin to their charge” (Acts 7:59, 60). (B) Paul thanked “Christ Jesus our Lord” (1 Timothy 1:12), and said at his conversion: “Who art Thou Lord?” The Lord answered, “I am Jesus.” Then Paul said: “Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?” (Acts 9:5, 6). (C) All believers when led of the Spirit pray, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20).
Jesus and the Father are one in purpose and whoever has seen Jesus has seen the Father (John 14:9-11), for He hath declared the Father (John 1:18). If we could fully understand the Trinity of the Godhead we would be God. But the Spirit of God has told us some valuable and beautiful truths about the wonderful relationship the Father and the Son have had from eternity past. And this relationship can never change. In Proverbs 8:25-30, “wisdom,” who is the Son (1 Corinthians 1:30), is speaking: “Before the mountains were settled…Then I was by Him [the Father] …and I was daily His delight, rejoicing always before Him.” What beautiful harmony and bliss they have enjoyed in the endless ages of eternity past and will enjoy throughout eternity future! Even when Jesus was here on this earth, we are told that He was “the Son of man which is in heaven” (John 3:13). His mind and heart were with His Father in heaven while He walked on this earth, and while here He delighted in doing His Father’s business (Psalm 40:8; Luke 2:49). When He had “finished the work” His Father gave Him to do, the Father restored to Him the glory which He had with His Father “before the world was” (John 17:4,5).