Page 32 - No Apologies

As one looks at society today, it is evident that this is the pattern being played out
almost universally. Women have become adept at enticing men through external dress and
adornment. Adultery and fornication is rampant. Yet there is a corresponding decrease of
true intimacy and commitment among sexual partners. Many are falling into a pattern of
sexual engagement that is devoid of any spiritual intimacy, or commitment to one another.
The person may not know, or even like the person with whom they are being sexually active.
It seems a small thing to leave one partner behind, and go find another. This is the fruit of
the Jezebel spirit.
I would mention another realm in which this emasculating Jezebel spirit displays
herself. This spirit is observed in false religious practices. In the Roman Catholic Church we
see the elevation of the woman over the man. Catholics are taught to pray to Mary. Mary
is depicted as the queen of heaven. Images of the Madonna with the infant Jesus in her
arms reveal the hierarchy of the woman holding a higher office than the man.
Roman Catholic dogma leads those under its influence to view Christ as distant, or
angry with mankind. The saints are exhorted to pray to Mary, hoping that she will persuade
her Son to answer their prayers. The mother becomes the channel through which the male
figure of Christ can be manipulated, controlled, or influenced. Prayers to God the Father
are absent among the Catholic Church, yet it is the Father to whom the Scriptures instruct
the body of Christ to pray. When Christ’s disciples asked Him to teach them to pray, He
gave them the following pattern.

Matthew 6:9-13
“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. Do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the
kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’”

Yahshua told His disciples that after He ascended they would ask Him nothing. They
would pray directly to the Father. They would not even ask the Son of God to petition the
Father for them. It is the Father who is the ruler of heaven and earth. It is He to whom
Christians are to pray.

John 16:23-27
"And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever
you ask the Father in My name He will give you. Until now you have asked
nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full... In that day
you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father
for you; for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me...

This is the teaching of Christ. The church is to pray directly to the Father. Mankind,
coming in the name of the Son, will be received by the Father. The Father will give the body
of Christ that which they request. There is no need to pray to the Son as an intermediary
who will relay requests to the Father. Yahshua said “I do not say to you that I shall pray to
the Father for you, for the Father Himself loves you.” Those who are in Christ have been
given direct access to the throne of God.