Question
Hi Gramps,
Are we meant to pray God or to Jesus? The Bible states the only way to God is through Jesus. If we’re to pray to Jesus, it doesn’t make sense to pray to Jesus and then conclude the prayer with (in Jesus name). Thanks.
Chris
Answer
Dear Chris,
I recently addressed a similar question about Christ’s role in our prayers, which you may find helpful. Your specific question is answered most clearly in the Book of Mormon:
3 Nephi 18:19 Therefore ye must always pray unto the Father in my name;
In this chapter, the Lord tells the Nephites several times that they are to pray “unto the Father” in Christ’s name. Mormon, in a letter to Moroni mentions this same pattern (see Moroni 8:3). In addition to these verses, we can reach the same conclusion through other instances of prayer in the scriptures. For example, when the Christ was with the Nephites and they prayed to him, he explained this exception in 3 Nephi 19:22 (emphasis added):
22 Father, thou hast given them the Holy Ghost because they believe in me; and thou seest that they believe in me because thou hearest them, and they pray unto me; and they pray unto me because I am with them.
The implication being that if Christ were not with them, it would not be appropriate for them to pray to him.
In Matthew 6:9, when the Lord is teaching is disciples to pray, he sets the pattern by addressing his prayer to the Father, and telling them it is how they should pray.
9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
As you mentioned, the only way to God is indeed through Jesus, but through the restored Gospel, we understand that this is because Christ is our mediator, who makes intercession for us (hence, we pray in his name, and he intercedes or mediates on our behalf):
2 Nephi 2:9 Wherefore, he is the firstfruits unto God, inasmuch as he shall make intercession for all the children of men; and they that believe in him shall be saved.
I hope this clarifies the question for you, and that your prayers bring you closer to God, through Christ.
Gramps
