Monday Morning Manna: Prayer Sent Where?

I saw it again last week. Someone posted on social media, “We are in need of prayers sent our way.” I’ve written about this before, but it keeps reoccurring, apparently from folks who understand their need for prayer, but don’t understand prayer. The Bible is clear that all prayer is to be offered to the Father, to and in the name of the Son, in, with, and through the Holy Spirit. Consider the following scripture passages: “When you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father . . . In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father” (Matthew 6:6, 9). “Whatever you ask the Father in My name . . .” (John 15:16). “It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us” (Romans 8:34). “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit . . .” (Ephesians 6:18). “Praying in the Holy Spirit” (Jude 20). The great evangelist R.A. Torrey wrote, “To sum it all up, the prayer that God answers is the prayer that is to God the Father, that is on the ground of the atoning blood of God the Son, and that is under the direction and the power of God the Holy Spirit.” I realize that for some, this is just a misuse of words, but if prayer is really serious, let’s try to get it right. Don’t send prayer to another person, nor request prayer be sent to you from another person. Prayer is about a receiving Father, a providing Son, and a directing Spirit.

Dr. Dan Crawford, Senior Professor at Southwestern Baptist Seminary, is the WestCoast Baptist Association’s Spiritual Life & Leadership Mentor. Follow Dan on Twitter @DrDanRC and Facebook www.facebook.com/dan.crawford.