Prayer Model

"For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. " (Ephesians 2: 18)

Several interesting things ought to be particularly noted from this short statement of the apostle Paul.

First, what is said is said in the context of prayer, or of having access to deity, of being able to approach unto Lord God.

Second, Lord God is spoken of in trinity, as Father, and as Son, and as Holy Spirit.

Third, acceptable prayer, properly speaking, is addressed chiefly "to the Father." This is in accordance with the words of David, who said - "O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come." (Psalm 65: 2 KJV) And, "Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come unto thee." (Psalm 102: 1 KJV)

Fourth, acceptable prayer, properly speaking, is "through the Son," that is, "in his name," and on account of his priestly and mediatorial position "between God and men." (I Timothy 2: 5 KJV) "Access" and the right and power to "approach" unapproacheable deity (I Timothy 6: 16 KJV) is only "through" or "by" the "Son of God," the Lord Jesus Christ.

Fifth, acceptable prayer, properly speaking, is "by the Spirit." The instrumentality of the Holy Spirit is distinct from that of the Son of God. The Spirit is not "high priest," as is Jesus. The Spirit is not the "one mediator between God and man," for the Spirit never "became man." But, the Spirit is, nevertheless, absolutely essential in successful and well pleasing prayer. "I will pray with the spirit..." (I Corinthians 14: 15 KJV)

When the disciples came to Jesus asking him to "teach us how to pray," he responded by praying a "model" prayer, beginning with these words:

"After this manner (method) therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven..." (Matthew 6: 9)

So, he too taught that all prayer is to be directed properly to the Father. We do not pray to the Son, except as to a mediator and priest, and we pray to him because we expect him to successfully present our petitions to his and to our Father.

"For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ..." (Ephesians 3: 14)

So too did Paul himself pray after the model he had introduced earlier in this letter and also after the model Christ himself gave to his disciples.

"Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Ephesians 5: 20)

"And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him." (Colossians 3: 17)

"I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 7: 25)

"To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen." (Romans 16: 27)

"But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (I Corinthians 15: 57)

Notice how the same pattern emerges in all God's dealings with his creation, especially with his children. God hears prayers as they are offered through Christ, in his name, and as they are offered by the aid of the Holy Spirit, but he also communicates, and blesses, and saves through his Son and by his Spirit.

"If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen." (I Peter 4: 11)

Notice that God is glorified "through" his Son, through Jesus Christ.

"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." (Romans 8: 14)

"For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1: 19)

"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will." (Romans 8: 26, 27)

These latter three verses emphasize the work of the Spirit in our prayers to God and through Christ.

Friend, if you are praying to another God, to one other than the Creator, to the God of Adam and Eve, to the God of Noah, and of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, yea, to the God and Father of Jesus Christ, then you are praying to a false and idol god. If you are praying to the God of Abraham, but not praying "through Jesus Christ," and not praying "in his name," then your prayers have no chance of being heard and answered by the Father. If you are not praying by the Holy Spirit, in his strength and by his leading, then your prayers will not get higher than the ceiling. Will you pray to the Father, and through Christ, and by the Holy Spirit?