Question: Can We "Pray" to Yahushua Christ?
Answer: There is a controversy among Christians who believe that Yahushua is not Yahuwah, but the son of Yahuwah, about whether or not we can pray to Yahushua. To answer this question we have to know, who Yahushua Christ is today and what does it mean to "pray".
We know that Yahushua was a man, the son of man, made like his brothers, the son of Yah. After his crucifixion he was dead, but on the 3rd day he was resurrected, went to his Father and received his new position.
Luke 24:6-7
He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, saying, the son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.
1 - What position did Yahushua receive from his Father after he was risen?
a) Yahushua is standing on the right hand of Yahuwah in heavenly places:
Acts 7:55
But he (Stephen), being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of Yahuwah, and Yahushua standing on the right hand of Yahuwah...
Colossians 3:1
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of Yahuwah.
Ephesians 1:20-23
Which he (Yahuwah) wrought in Christ, when He raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
b) Yahushua makes intercession for us:
Romans 8:34
Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of Yahuwah, who also maketh intercession for us.
c) Yahuwah put all things under his feet:
d) Yahuwah set him far above all principality, power, might and dominion
e) Yahuwah set him far above every name in this world and which is to come
f) Yahuwah made him the head over all things to the church (his body)
Ephesians 1:20-23
Which he (Yahuwah) wrought in Christ, when He raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
g) Yahuwah appointed him to be the heir of all things
Hebrews 1:1-2
Yahuwah, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Had in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
h) Yahushua is Lord of all
Acts 10:36
The word which Yahuwah sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Yahushua Christ: (he is Lord of all:)
Romans 10:12
For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
i) Finally Yahushua will subject everything and himself to the Father
1Ko 15:27-28
For He hath put all things under his feet. But when He saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.
And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the son also himself be subject unto Him that put all things under him, that Yahuwah may be all in all.
2 - Can we pray to Yahushua?
It is important to understand that the fundamental definition of "prayer" is "asking." In every language, prayer is fundamentally asking for something. Below are some points of logic and Scripture that indicate we can pray to Yahushua - ask Yahushua for something.
a) Yahushua is Lord of all: How can he be "Lord" in any real sense if we cannot ask him for things? Now he has all authority and we can ask him, it makes even more sense that we petition him now. Hundreds, even thousands, of people asked Jesus for things when he was on earth. Does it make sense that someone could ask Yahushua for something 2000 years ago, but cannot do so now?
John 14:13-14
And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.
You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
b) Stephen called upon Yahushua, not Yahuwah, when he was being stoned.
Acts 7:59-60
While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed [epikaleo= "calling upon"], Lord Yahushua, receive my spirit." Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them."
c) Paul pleaded with the Lord Yahushua about his "thorn in the flesh."
2 Corinthians 12:8-9
Three times I pleaded [parakaleo=to beseech] with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
d) Yahushua is the Head of the Body (his church).
Acts 9:34
And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Yahushua Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately.
2 Timothy 4:18
And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Since Pentecost, it is Yahushua Christ who:
Conclusion: In every language, prayer is fundamentally asking for something. Even if Yahushua is not Yahuwah, we can ask him for anything he promised he will do for us. Yahuwah made him our Lord and the Head of the Body, which is the ecclesia.