I hear so many praying to Jesus instead of the Father. Is this correct? Of course it’s fine to speak to Jesus, but is it Biblical to be asking Jesus for our needs to be met? Or should we be asking the Father?
I feel like I’m stepping on toes with this one. Discussing Bible subjects can often be like telling a man how to BBQ or a woman how to set up her kitchen — it’s nothing but trouble. But here it goes.
There are two scriptures that seem to contradict: John 14:13 and John 16:23, 24).
“And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it” (John 14:13).
And “‘And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full’” (John 16:23–24).
So what is it Jesus? Are we praying to you, or are we to praying to the Father? Call me crazy, but I believe Jesus is saying, “PUT THE SCRIPTURES IN CONTEXT!”
So let’s put these scriptures in context. (You really need to read these scriptures and put them in context. I can only highlight them here.)
John Chapter Fourteen
In John chapter fourteen, what is the context?
“’Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it’” (John 12:13–14).
Seems real obvious to me. Jesus is teaching the disciples how to do His works. And how is that? In his name. Here’s an example;
“Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, ‘Look at us.’ So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. Then Peter said, ‘Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.’ And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God” (Acts 3:—11).
Peter didn’t even pray for the man. What Peter did was ask that the name of Jesus do something — to heal the man. And Jesus did it.
Jesus did the same thing, but in the name of the Father: “Jesus answered them, ‘I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me’” (John 10:25).
Another example is when Aeneas is healed:
“Now it came to pass, as Peter went through all parts of the country, that he also came down to the saints who dwelt in Lydda. There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years and was paralyzed. And Peter said to him, ‘Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you. Arise and make your bed.’ Then he arose immediately. So all who dwelt at Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord” (Acts 9:32–35)
Again, Aeneas was healed by the name of Jesus.
Of course, the gifts of healings was manifested in these healings; nonetheless, these “works” were done in the name of Jesus. Do the gifts of healings need to be in manifestation for the name of Jesus to heal the sick? Of course not. The point is when Jesus said, “Whatever you ask in my name, that will I do”, He’s saying we need to use His name for the works of God to manifest. When we do, it brings glory to Him, because everyone will know that Jesus is alive and raised from the dead, and we should trust in Him for our salvation.
John Chapter Sixteen
“‘And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full’” (John 16:23–24).
If you read this in context, it’s obvious Jesus is talking of prayer. Our Father wants us to pray to Him in Jesus’ name.
Can prayer bring healing? Absolutely: “And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up” (James 5:15). When we pray in the name of Jesus to the Father, we’re declaring what Jesus did for us — what He bought and paid for in His death, burial, and resurrection. We’re acknowledging the grace of God in Christ Jesus. But as we saw earlier, the name of Jesus can be used to do the WORKS of Jesus without prayer.
I use healing as an example, but the use of the name of Jesus is our power of attorney to all the grace of God. We are to use it to establish the Kingdom of God in the earth and in our lives. We are to ask the Father for needs to be met, wisdom for our daily lives, prayers for the saints and sinners, prayers for governments and those in authority, prayer for safety, etc. The Father wants to hear from us! And we go to Him through the name of Jesus.
God receives honor when we use the name of Jesus to bring about His will through prayer. After all, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
Stay strong and prepared!
A Journal of Edification and Exhortation 