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ADDRESSING DEITY

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Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 7, 1861

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 17, No. 25.

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ADDRESSING DEITY.

By M. B. S.

Some persons in speaking on this subject have taken the position that to address Deity more than once in one prayer is taking his name in vain, or at least is superfluous. This seems an erroneous view, if we are to be guided by the example given us in the Bible. There is however, without doubt, danger of making vain repetitions in this respect. Some persons use the name of Deity in nearly every sentence of their prayer. This seems to be inconsistent and superfluous, though no wrong is intended, it being a mere habit that they have got into. The Bible does not say how often we should use the name of God in prayer, but it says, "Use not vain repetitions." Jesus told his disciples to say, "Our Father who art in heaven," &c., and does not again address Deity throughout the prayer. Now suppose you supply, "Our Father" at the beginning of every sentence. Would it not destroy the simplicity and beauty of the language, and add no force or meaning?
Suppose a person addresses you by your proper name, and then at the beginning of nearly every sentence repeats the same language, would you not soon become disgusted; and can our heavenly Father be less particular about consistency than we are? Let us imitate Jesus as near as we can. If we have formed the habit of using the name of Deity oftener than is proper, let us try to break ourselves of the habit at once.
Please read John xvii, and you will have a prayer that will be safe to follow in this respect. This is the longest prayer recorded in the New Testament, and was made by our divine Lord. It consists of about six hundred words, and yet the Deity is only addressed five times; three times by the single appellation of Father, once holy Father, and once righteous Father. Now suppose you add one of these appellations to every verse, or every other verse, would it not destroy the force and meaning of the language, or at least be almost if not altogether a vain repetition? But this is the way that many of us address our heavenly Father?O let us remember and combine consistency with simplicity, when we address a throne of grace. M. B. S.