Poetry With A Mission



...a thought provoking poetical exercise.

It Does Matter

“After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name” (Matthew 6:9, KJV).

Over the years I’ve noticed how when many Christians pray,
They address the Father’s Son which is not the correct way.
For whenever we kneel down and begin to say our prayers,
We’re to address the Father, not Jesus, Scripture declares.

We’ve direct access to the Father because of His Son,
That is, via the cross — what Jesus (on our behalf) has done.
Hence why we end our prayers in Christ’s name — the submissive One,
For there’s an order in Heaven too, even though they are as one.

Yes, even Christ submits to His Father’s will, so why not we?
Thus, whenever we pray, we should do so respectfully.
That is, we should not bypass the Father, God Almighty,
Displaying contempt or ignorance, and acting rudely.

When Christ was on earth, He taught His disciples how to pray,
Beginning, “Our Father...” (meaning, His Father), which we’re to say.
So why are some Christians teaching children differently,
Who when they’re older may still begin their prayers incorrectly?

Does it matter? Yes, it does, for it undermines Scripture,
And in the minds of many places a faulty picture.
We’ve a duty to uphold truth, not that which shouldn't be,
And to act in accordance with God’s will, not differently.

Each member of the Trinity has a role that they play,
And in this case — it’s to the Father — that we’re told to pray.
Or we’ll muddy those waters that God wants kept crystal-clear,
Flowing from heavenly fountains that cleanse and rightly steer.

So how do we get this wrong when the Scriptures are so clear,
Praying to Jesus, when it’s the Father waiting to hear?
It’s like talking to Bob when it’s Roger one should speak to,
And sometimes that’s the problem, and why things can go askew.

By Lance Landall

"... and the head of Christ is God [the Father]" (1 Cor 11:3, ESV)

"'I [Christ] ... seek to do not My own will but the will of Him [the Father] who sent me'" (John 5:30)

"'I and the Father are one'" (John 10:30, ESV)

Poetically, as in poems, one may coverse as if with Christ, but when it comes to actually praying, we should address the Father.



A)
“After this manner therefore pray ye: [that is, after this pattern, not necessarily after these identical words – a pattern in context but not necessarily in form] OUR FATHER [Christ’s father] which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name” (Matt 6:9, KJV).
“Verily, verily, I [Christ] say unto you, Whatsoever ye ASK THE FATHER [Christ’s father] IN MY NAME [Christ being the mediator], HE [the Father] will give it to you [if it’s in accordance with His will]” (John 16:23, KJV).
“ ‘You did not choose Me but I chose you [the apostles]. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit [be successful in their mission], fruit will last, so that the FATHER WILL GIVE YOU whatever you ask [according to His conditions] IN MY NAME [Christ’s]’ ” (John 15:16).

B) “And this is the confidence that we have toward Him [confidence in approaching Him], that if we ask anything ACCORDING TO HIS WILL He hears us” (1 John 5:14, ESV).
“Instead, you ought to say, ‘IF IT IS THE LORD'S WILL, we will live and do this or that [we are not to presume upon God]’ ” (James 4:15, NIV). Note also 2 Cor 12:8,9.
 

We therefore begin our prayers in this manner: “Dear heavenly Father,” and end our prayers with:
 “In Jesus name we pray [or ask], Amen.”

Because we’re to pray, “If it’s your will, Lord,” we’ve no right to command 
or demand a person be healed in God’s name.