Prayer is our direct communication with the Creator of the Universe. When we “come to Christ,” meaning, we accept him as our Savior and repent of our sins, we then have direct access to Jehovah God through His son Jesus. There is never any need to pray to dead saints or anything or anyone else, just to God alone in Jesus’ name.
We need to remember that Jehovah is not the “Big Guy” or the “Guy Upstairs.” He is the Almighty God of the Universe and beyond! That alone should tell us that we are to approach Him with great respect and humility.
However, Hebrews 4:16 instructs us to pray with confidence. “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Boldness means we can approach God with full assurance He will hear us and that Jesus will cover us with his righteousness.
Additionally, God promises to hear those who have come into sonship (by coming into Jesus) and have devoted their lives to Him and are living according to His Word (Ephesians 2:18).
God certainly does not hear prayers to other gods who are idols like Vishnu, nor to dead saints, nor to Mary.
Our prayers are made directly to God through Jesus. We are to study the Bible so that we know the kinds of things God says are acceptable to ask for. It is not acceptable to ask for wealth and prosperity or winning the lottery, but it you are having trouble making the rent, it is okay to ask the Lord to help you with that burden.
James 4:3, “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.”
In addition, God tells us in His Word that if there is a problem between us and another believer, we need to try to fix it before we come to God or before we do something in His service. Our guilty consciences will trouble our hearts and minds and block our communion with God. Therefore, God wants us to try to settle the matter and make peace, before we petition Him in prayer.
Matthew 5:23, “If then you are making an offering at the altar and there it comes to your mind that your brother has something against you, while your offering is still before the altar, first go and make peace with your brother, then come and make your offering.”
So, to sum up, the one praying:
- must be a true believer and disciple,
- must be living in harmony with God’s Word,
- must have respect for God,
- must ask everything in Jesus’ name,
- must not ask for things God says not to ask for,
- must attempt to keep harmony with brothers and sisters in Christ.
Additional Resources: Read about the principles that God uses when answering our prayers and why we can have confidence in His direction. Download PDF: “How God Answers Prayer”
Christian Questions Podcast Episode #1203: “Why Aren’t My Prayers Being Answered?”
Uncovering the dynamics of what makes a prayer work or fail
Preview Video
CQ Rewind Show Notes
