Jesus is our Mediator, Intercessor, Advocate, and Lord.  He stands between us and the Father. In no place in the Bible is it recorded that Jesus told His disciples to pray to Him. They were always to pray to the Father in His Name. If we wish to be sure of reaching the throne, we must come according to the rules laid down in the Word of God.

And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
(John 16:23-24)

Notice that Jesus said, "...in that day ye shall ask me nothing." Jesus said this just before He went away. He was talking about His mediating role at the right hand of the Father when He ascended and was seated.

Another translation reads, "In that day ye shall not pray to me." Jesus said to ask the Father in His Name. There is no other way to pray.

We can tell Jesus how much we love Him and appreciate Him, but when it comes to praying and asking, we must ask the Father through the Lord Jesus. Ephesians 3:14-15 says, "For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named."

It is not important what church you belong to, but it is important whose family you belong to.

Many people know about praying to God, but they know nothing about praying to the Father. They don't sound as if they really know Him. He is God to the world, but Father to me. There is real joy in knowing that the Father will answer our prayers.

Ephesians 5:20 says, "Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Paul is telling us that it is to the Father and not to Jesus that we give thanks. The Name of Jesus is the access to the heart of the Father. When you desire to get an answer, follow the teaching of the Word. Pray to the Father in the Name of Jesus.

If you go to the bank with a check and ask the cashier to cash that check for a friend, you will be asked if you have money on deposit to guarantee it. However, if that check has the name of a person who has an account at that particular bank, there will be no questions asked. We fail in our praying sometimes because our approach is all wrong.

Thank God that Jesus has a standing in heaven. He is the only approach to the Father. Let us use the mighty Name of Jesus that He has given us. He gave us the power of attorney to use His Name. He said, In my name shall they [believers] cast out devils..." (Mark 16:17).

We have a right to use the Name against the devil. We have the right to use that Name to call out demons and bind men's souls.

Source: Prayer Secrets by Kenneth Hagin.
Excerpt permission granted by Faith Library Publications