Bible Question:

I had an accident in the early 90s when I was little. I suffered a traumatic brain injury and short-term memory loss. I think bad thoughts when I don't want to. I pray and whisper to God and Jesus. I love them and wish that I was with them, and was safe in their hands. I think about them in my thoughts and dreams. Can I communicate with them through people? Like next Thursday, I'm going to church with my Christian friend, but I'm Catholic. I'm also going to wear a cross, a shiny blue one like the oceans. Blue is my favorite color.

Bible Answer:

Welcome in the name of Jesus. Let’s start by examining what is often called the “Lord’s Prayer” in the Sermon on the Mount. This is one of the major sermons that Jesus preached. In the process of examining the “Lord’s Prayer,” we will find the answer to your question. So let’s get started by reading the “Lord’s Prayer.”

Pray, then, in this way: “Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” (NASB) Matt. 6:9-13

Notice that Jesus tells us to pray directly to God the Father. This means that we do not need anyone else to help us pray. No one else is required. We do not need our father, mother, friends, wife, sister, brother, pastor, rabbi, or a priest to pray for us or with us. We are to pray directly to God.

Notice that Jesus tells us what we should include in our prayer. When we pray, we should give Him honor by telling Him that we know He is holy. We can praise God for other things also such as His power and wisdom. We should tell Him that we want His will to be done and not our own. We should always confess our sins (1 John 1:9) to Him and ask Him to help us not to fall into temptation. We can ask God for other things too and tell Him whatever we want. God does not care if you are wearing a cross or not.

The first prayer that God wants to hear from us is a prayer in which we admit that we believe Jesus is God and that you want Him to forgive your sins. Only Jesus can forgive our sins (Acts 4:12). Only Jesus can give us eternal life. Then you will be under His protection (Ps. 23; John 6:37; 10:28-29). Visit the page “Searching for God” to learn more.

Conclusion:

Did you know that God knows your thoughts and that you do not have to say your prayers out loud? Listen to this great verse.

Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon me, and he told me to say, “This is what the LORD says to the people of Israel: I know what you are saying, for I know every thought that comes into your minds.” (TL) Ezekiel 11:5

But this also means that God knows our sinful thoughts too! God knows everything we do, our wants, and yet He loves us. God encourages us to pray so that our joy might be full (John 16:24; James 4:2). So let’s pray.