Hymns that are Prayers to Jesus

7/22/2011

I've heard some Christians say that it is inappropriate to pray to Jesus. One of the papers on this website refutes that claim. Following is a brief excerpt from that paper:

If it were wrong to pray to Jesus (and the Spirit), it would be wrong to sing many of the hymns in our songbooks. Having gone through about ½ of a hymnbook I have, I discovered many songs we should take out if it is wrong to pray to Jesus and the Spirit. Below are some examples of these songs (with their “offending” text).

Love Divine All Loves Excelling

…Jesus, Thou art all compassion; Pure, unbounded love Thou art.
Visit us with Thy salvation; Enter every trembling heart.

Jesus, Lover of My Soul

…let me to thy bosom fly
…Hide me, O my Savior, hide
…Oh, receive my soul at last!

More Love to Thee

…O Christ, more love to Thee!
Hear Thou the prayer I make on bended knee.
This is my earnest plea: More love, O Christ, to Thee.

Close to Thee

Thou, my everlasting portion, More than friend or life to me,
All along my pilgrim journey, Savior, let me walk with Thee.
Close to Thee…

My Jesus, I Love Thee

…I know Thou art mine.
For Thee all the follies of sin I resign.
My gracious Redeemer, my Savior art Thou.
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ‘tis now.

My Faith Looks Up to Thee

…Thou Lamb of Calvary, Savior divine!
Now hear me while I pray; Take all my guilt away.
Oh, let me from this day Be wholly Thine!

Come, Holy Ghost, Our Hearts Inspire

…Let us Thine influence prove:
Source of the old prophetic fire.
Fountain of life and love.

34 Comments

Troy Burns

12/6/2011 02:03:19 am

I totally agree with you Dr. Bird that we should pray to Jesus. I really like that you used the example of hymns. So much theology is conveyed in hymns. And as you have shown that theology is one that teaches us to pray to Jesus and to the Holy Spirit as well. Good Stuff!

Silas Perkins

5/21/2016 06:47:44 am

I agree with Troy, songs that are sung in churches today are great but they don't have as much solid theology standards as the old hymns. I believe we should pray to the three. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Aaron Sink

12/7/2011 10:20:18 am

The Catechism for Children is a wonderful section, I really like it. In fact it may be good for adults too!

Aaron Sink

12/7/2011 10:27:39 am

The links for sites about Apologetics is a great resource for interested persons.
And I mentioned earlier about the children's catechism, but a comment on the adult's version. I actually find that one of the most solid Biblical basis' for finding answers to questions. I was not even aware what a catechism was prior to taking this theology class.
One improvement might be if the Basic Message actually played at the bottom of the home page.

Nate Kennedy

12/12/2011 02:46:04 am

Dr. Bird,
This is a wonderfully solid and concise article.

1 John 2:1b says, "And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous" (KJV). In Hebrews 7:25 we read that Jesus "ever liveth to make intercession for them [that come unto God by him]" (KJV). Jesus is our advocate, our intercessor. Why should we neglect to pray to the One who pleads our case before the Father in heaven, the one who allowed His body to be broken and His blood to be shed in order to appease His holy Father's wrath?

I see the hymns as one of the ways that the Church has passed down tradition. Music is an incredibly amazing tool we have at our disposal, one reason being that songs tend to stick in people's heads. The combination of sound theology and great music is a silver bullet of sorts.

Excellent work, Dr. Bird!

Derrick Trent

12/15/2011 10:48:41 am

It seems those who wrote these hymns knew something about praying to Jesus and the Spirit that Christians who say it is inappropriate do not know. Or perhaps those Christians have never thought about what these hymns are actually saying. Great job pointing out that these are indeed prayers to Jesus and the Spirit!

Paul L

4/30/2012 12:40:08 am

These hymns are beautiful expressions of Christians prayers to Jesus through the centuries. Dr. Bird made a very convincing case in his paper "Should we pray to Jesus?" that this is definitely a biblical practice. As we see in these hymns, it is also a very prevalent practice in the Church's history.

Art Perkins

5/1/2012 02:29:00 am

Totally agree! We cannot neglect the divinity of Christ.

Nate Kennedy

5/4/2012 10:52:38 am

Imagine someone saving your life when you could do nothing to save yourself, and then refusing to talk to that person or thinking that it was inappropriate to do so. If it was inappropriate to pray to the very One who gave His life for us in the ultimate act of love, there is something very wrong here. A solid relationship by nature requires 2-way communication, and Jesus wants to have that kind of relationship with every one of us.

Thomas R

11/8/2012 07:49:18 am

I do agree with the statement that we should pray to Jesus. However, I think people making the argument that we shouldn't pray to Him need more biblical proof then hymns. I think hymns are great for worship and some for emphasizing certain points of doctrine, but to make the argument that we should pray to Jesus or else throw some hymns out of a hymnbook is a weak argument. Good food for thought while singing those songs though. :)

Chad A. Bladen

11/8/2012 09:15:17 am

I believe that many of the people who say that we are not to pray to Jesus are referring to the Lord's Prayer in which Jesus gives us an outline by which we are to pray. This does not as you rightly pointed out mean that we are not to pray to Jesus it merely means that we are to address our prayer as a whole to God the Father.

Jeemps Pierre

11/8/2012 12:52:29 pm

I absolutely agree with you Dr. Bird, to refuse to pray to Jesus it is like denying His divine nature and His Lordship. I firmly believe that Jesus is our God, therefore ; we must pray to Him.

Denroy G

11/8/2012 09:58:26 pm

I believe we should address all members of the trinity when praying.

Andrew H.

11/8/2012 10:33:56 pm

Dr. Bird, Thank you for your insight,
Hymns are a type of prayer sung out. Many hymns end with with Amen without saying in Jesus name so a few of our brethren thought it was alright to nit end a prayer in Jesus Name. as the paper says nowhere in the bible is it forbidden to pray to the other parts of the Godhead. But let us consider this; Romans 8:26 speaks of the Holy spirit interceding for us, and in verse 34 Paul writes that Jesus intercedes for us as well, this gives us the image that the Father is to be the ultimate person to whom prayers are referred to The father is never referred to as praying but he is referred to receiving and answering prayer. So if we do pray to the Holy Spirit he will pass it on to the Father, and whether we pray to Jesus or not is irrelevant because he is interceding for us any way.

But we are required to pray in Jesus name. This as the paper says means to pray in his will and if we are walking in what we know is right(1 joh 1:7) we will only pray for things in accordance with the will of Jesus.

Kent S

12/4/2012 12:32:24 am

I think many times we think that our prayers have to be what we want, or stem from our inner feelings. It's refreshing to see how praying hymns or psalms are a wonderful addition to our relationship with God. It's something I want to add into my personal walk with God.

Hillary

12/13/2012 03:41:13 am

I think the idea that we can't pray to Jesus is one bred of ignorance. The Bible all over exhorts us to call upon the Lord. Jesus revealed Himself as Lord and Savior, so it naturally follows that we should call upon Him in prayer. Hymns make wonderful prayers because they express solid biblical truth and give a proper tone to our prayer and worship.

Andrew Lamicela

1/19/2013 01:05:10 am

I agree that praying to Jesus is completely appropriate. John 17:3 says “And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” To know someone implies communication. Thus, knowing Jesus involves communicating with Him—prayer.

Micahel Nelson

2/20/2014 11:59:49 am

I stay away from "formulas" when praying. Our sins are not removed by formulas, so I believe that we should should stay away from formulas when communicating/praying to God/Jesus/Holy Spirit. Jesus is the "fullness of the Godhead bodily." Scripture tells us to pray in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Ok, so what is their names? Well, I think that is easy--their name is Jesus. Jesus is the culmination of God's revelation and salvation to man. The Head. As such, I believe the Godhead is summed up in the name of Jesus. Sometimes I pray to the Father; sometimes to Jesus. But however we approach it, we, of course, must consider the fact that Jesus is front and center of all things pertaining to the Church.

Matthew Metz

12/10/2014 06:41:15 am

Yes, I believe this is good and that we should pray to each member of the Trinity. However, I think using hymns for evidence is a little bit shallow.

Mark

4/21/2015 11:52:47 am

I agree with your first statement, Matt, but I don't understand how it relates. He was not using the hymns for evidence, simply pointing out that those hymns would not be allowed without accepting the teaching of praying to each member of the Trinity.

Mark

12/30/2014 06:35:24 am

Hymns are a great part of our worship today. We see many aspects of worship to God in the hymns which we sing. We adore, implore, and simply relate theology through hymns. This would include prayers to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The hymns that are provided in this article do just what I have mentioned: they are in adoration of Jesus as well as discussing through hymnody who Jesus is. Importantly, Jesus lives to make intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25) and we are advised to come to the Father through Him. I believe this is an important aspect of the worship of God which is being accomplished through these hymns. Important topic!

Rachel

4/14/2015 08:58:03 pm

Dr. Bird,
I have also heard that Christians should not pray to Jesus. However, we find evidence in Scriptures of prays to Jesus. John draws the book of Revelation and the Bible to a close by offering a prayer to Jesus that He would come quickly, (Revelation 22:20). Stephen called out in prayer to Jesus as he gave his life as the first martyr, praying to Jesus to receive his soul, (Acts 7:59). Prayer and hymns are forms of communication and--as Nate Kennedy said--Jesus wants to have a relationship with us that involves two-way communication.

Chuck

5/4/2015 11:55:56 pm

I really liked this Dr. Bird!!! It never occurred to me to use the Hymns as an argument in favor of Praying to Jesus. It seems to me, that those who say that you shouldn't pray to Jesus are same who have a high view of the hymnal. I will remember this extra-biblical argument in favor of praying to Jesus.

Kayla Vandervort

11/30/2015 10:17:40 am

I too have heard that it is improper to directly pray to Jesus, especially at the beginning of a prayer: Prayers should be addressed to the Father, just as Jesus prayed to the Father. Occasionally, it might be okay to pray to Jesus, but prayers should mainly be addressed to the Father.
However, this argument tends to get rather sticky in day-to-day life. When you have to stop and think about who to pray to for various things, it almost becomes like more than one God. As humans, we are always going to make mistakes. No matter how hard we try, we are never going to be able to pray in a perfect way. This is clearly stated in Romans 8:26--"Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."

Joey Ellis

12/1/2015 02:09:07 pm

I like this and I am glad that we can pray to Jesus!

Ruth Katikala

12/6/2015 09:05:41 pm

I love this article and it shows that praying to Jesus in not wrong. Some one said to me that we should not pray to Jesus. We should pray for Father. He is superior. I don't believe in Superiority. I believe in Three in One and Three are equal. One being and three persons. We can pray to Father , we can pray to Jesus and we can pray to Holy Spirit.

Kevin

12/15/2015 01:14:57 pm

This is a good thought. I think it is good to pray to all members of the Trinity. Jesus is our intercessor in which we can go directly too. And I think we can go to the Father or Holy Spirit. Good Article!!

Bobbie Jo link

5/2/2016 01:50:23 pm

I found Mr. Bird's paper on "Should We Pray to Jesus (Or Just In His Name)? to be a very well thought out, prayed over, written work which has brought much insight and encouragement to me as a reader, fellow Christian, and prayer warrior.

This topic may seem strange to some especially to those who have not given much thought to the matter of the "person" receiving our prayers. Others may seem quite offended not understanding the uniqueness of the Trinity and the roles they each play in our spiritual lives as we relate with them on a personal level; one of true communion, love, commitment, and desire to know them more and to walk in the power and provision each Person of the Godhead so gracefully and willing offers those who diligently seek.

Should we pray to Jesus? Absolutely! He is the second person of the Godhead, the begotten Son, who gave His life in order that we may be forgiven and redeemed; set free from sin and death and the power sin has on us. He has been given all authority from God the Father, to lay down His life, the power to rise again and to give life, forgive sin, and to pass on the authority to his followers to "go and do likewise", "making disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, and to teach them to obey all he has commanded." He himself has sought us to not only pray to the Father but to also pray to Him, who is ever interceding for his children on their behalf. Jesus Says to Ask Me what you have need of and I will answer you." "Seek Me and you shall find Me, if you seek Me with all your heart."

Should we pray to the Holy Spirit? Absolutely! The Spirit proceeds from the Father, to not only bring comfort and peace but to also give wisdom, understanding, and power to those who are bearing witness to the life of Jesus Christ. The Spirit who is the third person of the Godhead is said to be our advocate, ever interceding for us, for we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groaning which cannot be uttered.... He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God." Hallelujah He gives strength, and power, wisdom and guidance for us to live prayerful lives, lives of leadership and christlike character for the Glory of God the Father!

I really liked how Mr. Bird pointed out that we need to remember that all members of the Trinity are One! They are not jealous with one another. Where one is present, the others are as well. They all participate in any given divine act, according to their peculiar roles. When we pray to one member of the Trinity, the others hear our prayer as well, and respond in a way consistent with their person. We are encouraged to communicate with each of them for they are all capable of having a personal relationship with each other and with us! We were created for that purpose!

Just as God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are One through prayer it seems as though we become One in our individual relationships as well as combining the four of us together. I am stronger, more balanced, and thankful for the privilege we have as Christ followers to have an open, personal relationship with the Holy Trinity.

Prayer is the key to unleashing all of Gods power and movement of the Holy Spirit upon our lives, the church, and the world! So let's take advantage of this opportunity and get to praying!

David Martinez

11/10/2016 09:40:55 pm

The three members of the Trinity, although one in being or essence, are different persons with different roles. The Father, the Son, and the Spirit are all God and are all involved in the work that is being made in our lives. We, as Christians, are receivers of the benefits that each member of the Trinity has promised to do. Why not thank and worship each member of the Trinity for the faithful and gracious work that they have done in our lives? Why not ask and seek a deeper relationship with them as the one God they are?

Amy

4/27/2017 01:14:15 pm

"Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people." (Heb. 2:17 ESV)
Jesus is our high priest who makes intercession for us (Heb. 7:25), and He knows our infirmities and temptations (Heb. 4:15). I find it a great comfort to know that I can pray to Him, for He understands what it's like to be human.
I had never realized how many hymns specifically address Jesus in praise and petition. I think praying to Jesus is entirely appropriate and necessary to our Christian life.

Cindy Fenster

9/27/2017 05:37:03 am

We have to be able to see God's words or scripture to back this up or refute the argument. One can't argue for or against this argument by saying that 'hymns' back up their claim. Hymns are words from man and man is imperfect. If you want to know what God says, you must look at His words, no person can fill those shoes.

Megan W.

12/4/2018 08:07:46 pm

It is really interesting to think about this contradiction that so many people seem to be making. They say that it is not appropriate to pray specifically to Jesus, and yet will sing songs of worship and praise directed at Him. I think that so many times we forget that many of our beloved songs and hymns are actually prayers. On top of this, there are examples in the Bible of prayers being directed to Jesus. To say that it is wrong to pray to any other person of the Trinity, in a sense, takes away the worship that we should be showing to all three members. The Father, Son, and Spirit are all deserving of our worship, and therefore I believe that we should pray to all three.

Dylan C.

12/7/2019 11:26:31 am

The hymns Dr. Bird lists are undeniably prayers to Jesus and the Holy Spirit. There are numerous other hymns which speak to Jesus and the Holy Spirit, which are not mentioned in this post. Praying to each Person of the Trinity is natural for us, since we need Their help daily. I sometimes pray to the Holy Spirit and ask Him to help me in my spiritual walk. The Triune God desires to hear our prayers. Another hymn that could be listed as a prayer to Jesus would be, "Just As I Am." Each verse ends with the proclamation, "O Lamb of God, I come, I come!" Another hymn which is addressed to the Holy Spirit would be, "Sweet Sweet Spirit." In this hymn, the refrain says, "Sweet Holy Spirit, sweet heavenly Dove, stay right here with us, filling us with Your love..." Obviously, these are prayers, and thus, all Christians are called to pray to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Daniel Brandon

12/16/2019 08:10:16 pm

Very well-written! I apreciate the songs and message very much!

Hymns that are Prayers to Jesus

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