xjwsforChrist

CRIMINY SAID

Since leaving the JWs I have been excited to learn the larger role Jesus plays in my worship. I never realized how marginalized the WTS made Jesus, despite that district convention a few years back to make it appear otherwise.

Since, I have become more comfortable just talking to Jesus during my daily goings on. I no longer treat Jesus as being disfellowshipped. (Ain't that something?) But formal prayer... ? My understanding is that Jesus directed us to pray to the Father, Jehovah.

To whom do you direct your prayers?

PSACRAMENTO SAID

I pray to My Lord Jesus and Our Beloved Father.
IMO, you can't have one without the other.
I can't think of Our Father without thinking of Jesus and I can't think of Jesus without thinking of Our Father.

DING SAID

Sometimes to the Father. Sometimes to Jesus.

But is it proper to pray to Jesus? Consider the following:

In John 14:6, Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except by me."

In John 5:39-40, Jesus said to the Pharisees, "You search the scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness to me; 40 yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life."

Today, how can we come to Jesus except through prayer?

Also, a mediator helps two parties communicate and brings them together. Jesus is the only mediator between God and man. 1 Timothy 2:5.2. How can he serve as our mediator if we are forbidden to talk with him?

Are there examples in the New Testament of Christians praying to Jesus? Several!

In Acts 7:59, Stephen prayed to Jesus as he was dying and asked him to receive his spirit.
In Acts 9:1-9, Saul of Tarsus spoke with the risen Jesus.
In Acts 9:10-17, Jesus contacted Ananias and told him to witness to Saul.
In Acts 22:16, Paul says that Ananias told Saul to call on the name of Jesus in order to wash away his sins.
In 1 Corinthians 1:2, Paul tells the Corinthians that all Christians everywhere call on the name of Jesus.
In 2 Corinthians 12:7-9, Paul prayed three times to Christ concerning his thorn in the flesh. Christ responded to him and did not rebuke him for calling on his name.

So it's perfectly proper to pray to Jesus as well as to the Father.

While we're on the subject, must a person use the name "Jehovah" when praying to God? JWs often worry that if they pray without using the name "Jehovah" that their prayer really goes to Satan. What does Jesus say?

Even the NWT says that Jesus himself addressed God as "Father" in Matthew 11:25, Luke 10:21, John 11:41. and John 17:1. "Yes," someone says, "but Jesus was God's Son; we are not."

But when the disciples asked about prayer, Jesus said to call Him "our Father." Matthew 6:9.

Peter and the disciples addressed God as, "Sovereign Lord" in Acts 4:24 (NWT).

I don't think there's any legalistic rule about the words to be used, but certainly these scriptures indicate that it isn't necessary to use the name "Jehovah" when praying. In fact, I haven't been able to find an example even in the NWT where Jesus is directly quoted as using the name "Jehovah" or where he rebuked an

CRIMINY SAID

Thank you PS.
Thank you Ding. That's interesting. That makes more sense than just side-lining Jesus and treating him as a barely acknowledged messenger ("... in Jesus name we pray...") as we basically go over his head and straight to the father.



I have never heard this, but I have probably always used the name Jehovah in my prayers without giving it much thought. When I pray to Jehovah there is no reason not to use his name. He made it known to us for a reason,. I think we've been invited to use it.

AGUEST SAID

I speak with Christ, the Holy One of Israel, JAHESHUA, constantly, dear Crim (peace to you!), but not in prayer. I pray... to his Father, the MOST Holy One of Israel, JAH of Armies... and that One only... but THROUGH my Lord, the Christ.

And I do so (pray) in private and never publicly; although I may give thanks publicly, from time to time... or say "Amen!" to another's "offering" of thanks. I never say "Amen" to another's prayer, though... because I don't know what's in their heart really. Could be just words - I dunno. Doesn't mean I don't agree with that prayer (I sometimes do, actually)... but I believe THEIR prayer is between them and JAH... and since I'm not really a party TO it, can't say "Amen!" to it.

Matthew 6:5-8

When I pray now, I ask for the things my Lord has directed me to ask for (after explaining to me what he meant in "his" prayer). For example:

1. Sanctification (cleansing) of JAH's name and removal of any reproach brought upon it, by me OR any others;

2. The completion of the "full number" of the nations and the gathering of His chosen ones and, through this, the completion of the building and establishment of "New Jerusalem" (and thus God's kingdom) through which the doing of God's will take place in the physical realm (which is where New Jerusalem will be - Revelation 21:2; 20:9);

3. To continue allowing me to partake of the "daily bread", the flesh of His Son and Christ, which "bread" sustains my SPIRIT (Psalms 78:25; John 6:48-58; John 15:1; Genesis 3:22), and is NOT as to bread for sustaining my flesh, for JAH already knows I need that - Matthew 6:25, 31, 32);

4. To grant me the fruits of His spirit as well as to stand between me and the Adversary and/or guide/direct/lead me BY that spirit... through Christ... so that I am not tempted... by my OWN desires... OR the leadings of the Adversary... to sin (against God OR others);

5. And acknowledge that the Kingdom, power, and glory is HIS... even though bestowed BY Him upon Christ forever, and his co-rulers for a short period of time.

That's pretty much it. I rarely ask for anything "else"... as I have NO doubt that JAH will give me all that I need, even what I ask for "in my heart." So, I tend to do as Christ directed... and limit my prayers to things that glorify JAH as the MOST High... and or request the building up of His Temple, the Body of Christ. Truly, that is what prayer is FOR.

In order to have this prayer HEARD, though... I first go to my Lord and ask HIM for permission TO enter before the Most Holy (i.e., go TO him, as High Priest, and through him, as the Door - John 10:7-9; 14:6)). My words are something like, "So that I may go in and give glory to the Father." Once he grants me permission, I go on in, prostrate myself, and offer my "gift" (of prayer) at the feet of the Most Holy One of Israel. Again, prostrated, [i]always.[/i (Trust me, if you don't bow down, you will most probably end up on your face on the floor anyway... just as a result of the vision you see when you see what they truly look like! Heart-stopping! So, I just go on and get down there... out of honor and respect... as well as to spare myself the vision - LOL!)

As for anything else that I would ask of or for... I either ask it directly of my Lord ... or, if it is important or urgent/dire/serious enough to ME... ask HIM to intervene and go in and, as my High Priest... plead to JAH FOR me.

One cannot get to JAH without going through Christ, anymore than one could get to Pharaoh... without going through Joseph. Just doesn't happen. Which is why many folks' prayers aren't heard - they haven't even gotten IN. Thus:

Two men went up into the temple to pray, the one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and began to pray these things to himself, ‘O God, I thank you I am not as the rest of men, extortioners, unrighteous, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week, I give the tenth of all things I acquire.’..." Luke 18:10-12

Now, I realize that some might say, "Okay, now, WAIT - now she's trying to tell us how to PRAY? Who is SHE to tell us how to pray? The Bible already tells us what Christ said about it." And such ones would be right: it is NOT my place to tell ANYONE "how" to pray. I only related what I do... and why. Each one must ask for himself/herself on this matter... and follow what THEY hear as to it... from Christ.

I only offered it as perhaps a basis for such asking, so that those who might want to, will know what they might ask ABOUT. That's it, that's all.

Again, peace to you, all!
_________________
Paz a todos!

Su sirviente, compañera de estudios, y un esclava de Cristo,

SA

SOFT/GENTLE SAID

good question criminy. I'd like to reply as an atheist if I may. not trying to convert anyone to atheism but just want to share.
Fro me personally I don't have an empty spot where Jehovah and Jesus used to be. I think my position is best described by Jesus himself when he spoke about the living water that would be inside you, bubbling forth. This is how I feel when I want to be in a place of quiet contemplation and want to receive empowerment and belonging (something like that - I'll try and look it up later). For me though many atheistic thinkers also acknowledge what I am describing as being part of what they find when they want to be in place of inspiration and empowerment without having to name nominate or acknowledge any deities. but i have no problem with those who do name and nominate a deity

SABASTIOUS SAID

For me prayer is a very complex thing and not easily explained. First off, I mostly just talk to God which to me is different than prayer. I know that everything I say to God, however, is already known before I utter it. So, on that line of reasoning talking to God is more of a personal thing than a required form of communication.

"True" prayer in my opinion is when you approach God in reverence with a special inquiry. If I don't know what to do in a dire situation then that's the time to go into supplication. To me prayer should include raw material like candles and incense and such. To me it's important to create a setting that is generally different from everyday life. To me it shows a reverence for God and acknowledges the massive power gap between lifeforms. If I am worthy, my request will be granted, if I am not then usually the request is still granted, but in a roundabout way that serves to teach me something in the process.

Anyway, just thought I would post my thoughts.

Regards,

-Sab

TEC SAID

Thanks, Sab.

I pray to the Father... often giving thanks. I most often start by speaking with/praying to our Lord though, asking Him about things and asking for help/guidance IN things. I also just talk to Christ as well, at various times in my day. So not necessarily a prayer; but just asking questions and such.

I think if we don't know or are not sure, we can ALWAYS ask Christ to help us understand and guide us. He is the teacher after all

Peace,
tammy

LOZ SAID

I often just 'talk/chat' my thoughts and feelings. Sometimes I beseech Jah through his son. Regularly I give thanks. It works for me. I can 'feel' it when my prayer gets through. I just 'know' when I'm in tune with my heavenly father and his son. It's a wonderful privilege.

Loz x

OUTLAW SAID

I`m not a believer but I still pray for KFC and Cold Beer..



.......................... ...OUTLAW

OUTLAW SAID

I guess I did`nt pray hard enough for the Cold Beer..

............................ ...OUTLAW

OUTLAW SAID

Dear OUTLAW..
Please remember to buy Cold Beer..
Amen..



............................ ...OUTLAW

THESILENCE SAID




I fixed it for you.
_________________
Just a clever, quiet, unusual entity living in near equanimity.

OUTLAW SAID

Thank you Jackie!..

I`ll need more KFC to go with the Cold Beer..



................................ ...OUTLAW

TEC SAID




I can relate to this. Everything just seems to 'click' and there is a sense of peace and calm.

Of course, Christ has also spoken to me when i was not expecting Him to...and once when I did not want to hear Him, He repeated Himself, and quite clearly too! Accepting His direction THEN brought me peace and calm.

Peace,
tammy