The Direct Line

"Do you go to movies?" a man at our poker table asked a man on the other side.  "You should go to see War Room.  That's a good movie."  Others at the table had seen it and agreed.

"It's all about praying to Jesus," the man continued.

Uh-oh.  Do you see a problem with that comment?  Some Christian ministers do -- even ministers who believe strongly in Jesus Christ.  They say you should pray only to God the Father.  Sorting out this question can get a bit complex.

One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. - Luke 6:12

Jesus was sent by God the Father to be our Savior.  And the Bible shows Jesus indeed is God (John 1:1).  But when it came time to pray, Jesus did not engage in "self-talk" to pump Himself up -- the way some poker players might before a big tournament.

"My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand.  I and the Father are one." - John 10:29-30

We're led to conclude Jesus prayed to God the Father -- and to some extent, He still does today.

Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died - more than that, who was raised to life - is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. - Romans 8:34

So does that mean we should direct our prayers toward Jesus the Son, not God the Father?

And whatsoever you shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. - John 14:13-14 (KJV)

The New International Version says this in verse 14: "You may ask me for anything in my name...." - as in asking Jesus directly. Other translations we checked agree. But the King James hints at directing prayers toward the Father. And Jesus recommends this elsewhere:

"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?" - Luke 11:13  (NASB)

So prayers to God the Father are proper.  Prayers directly to Jesus may be proper at times.  If you have more Bible verses to share to help us sort this issue out, please leave some in a comment.

Whatever you do, though, we do not recommend praying to "the poker gods."  The Bible shows those are not really gods at all:

For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the Lord made the heavens. - I Chronicles 16:26