Should We Pray to Jesus?

A RESEARCHER recently pulled over 800 youths from more than a dozen religious denominations, asking whether they believed that Jesus answers prayers. Over 60 percent said that they firmly believe that  he does. However, one youth crossed out the name of  Jesus on the survey and wrote "God" instead. 

What do you think?  Should we address our prayers to Jesus or God?"  To find the answer, first let us consider how Jesus taught his disciples to pray. 

TO WHOM DID JESUS TEACH US TO PRAY?

   Jesus both taught and showed us to whom we should pray.

HIS TEACHING: When one of his disciples asked Jesus, "Lord, teach us how to pray," Jesus replied: "Whenever you pray, say: 'Father.' " ( Luke 11:1, 2)  Further, in his famous Sermon on the Mount, Jesus urged his listeners to pray. He said:  "Pray to your Father."  He also assured them by saying: "Your Father knows what your need even before you ask him." (Matthew 6:6, 8) On his final night as a human, Jesus told his disciples:  "If you ask the Father for anything, he will give it to you in my name." (John 16:23)  Jesus thus taught us to pray to the one who is both his Father and our Father, Jehovah God. -John 20:17.

HIS EXAMPLE: In line with the way he taught others to pray, Jesus personally prayed:  "I publicly praise you Father, Lord of heaven and earth." (Luke 10:21) On another occasion,  "Jesus raised his eyes heavenward  and said:  'Father, I thank you that you have heard me.' " (John 11:41)  And as he was dying, Jesus prayed:  "Father, into your hands I entrust my spirit." (Luke 23:46) In praying to his heavenly Father-the "Lord of heaven and earth" -Jesus set a clear example for all to follow.  (Matthew 11:25; 26:41, 42; 1 John 2:6)  Is that how Jesus' early disciples understood his instructions?

Next time: TO WHOM DID THE EARLY CHRISTIANS PRAY?

From the Watchtower magazine, 2015