Jesus Taught Us The Father Is The First Issue in Our Prayers

I've noticed something about the way people pray. I wonder if you agree. My conclusion is based upon listening to people pray over the years. It isn't a scientific survey but I think I’m right. [Tweet "Most people don’t pray the way Jesus taught us to pray."] Jesus taught us a lot about prayer so let me narrow this down a bit. I’m only thinking about one aspect of what Jesus taught, who we address when we pray. Every Christian knows the Lord’s prayer. Even if things get muddied up with the “sins” or “trespasses” part you know how it begins, “Our Father” Matthew 6:9-13. You may be thinking, “If I say the Lord’s prayer and start with ‘Our Father’ how can I be wrong?” I’m not talking about praying the Lord’s prayer. I don’t think Jesus’ purpose in teaching it was just to pray those words. The Lord’s prayer is packed with meaning. In fact, the Lord’s prayer is a model prayer that identifies five different issues we should focus on when we pray.

The 5 Issues Of the Lord’s Prayer

1. The issue of the Father Matthew 6:9
2. The issue of the Father’s will Matthew 6:10
3. The issue of our needs Matthew 6:11
4. The issue of unmet obligations Matthew 6:12
5. The issue of temptation Matthew 6:13

The Issue of the Father Is Jesus’ First Priority For Us When We Pray

The Trinity is a difficult concept. The Scriptures tell us there are three persons, Father, Son and Spirit who are one God. The Bible is emphatic about this and makes very consistent distinctions about who does what in the Godhead. This teaching is called Trinitarianism and can’t be learned by taking a course. It is learned by practice in relating to the persons in the Trinity in the proper way. Yet many people pray to Jesus instead of the Father. [Tweet "Many Christians ignore the clear distinctions in the Bible about the Trinity."] Jesus was teaching Trinitarianism when He taught us to pray to the Father in the Lord’s prayer. That wasn't the only time He talked about who to pray to. Consider what Jesus said to His disciples the night before he died John 16:23.

In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.

There’s more John 15:16.

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.

And there’s a lot more to add to these verses. Biblically there is no debate that Jesus wants us to talk to the Father when we pray. You may be wondering why this is a big deal. It’s actually pretty cool. [Tweet "Jesus wants us to share in His healthy relationship with the Father"] Do you have a healthy relationship with God the Father? Tomorrow we’ll tackle the issue of the Father in our prayers. What do you think? I’d love to hear from you. Please leave a comment or question below.