Praying in Thou Thee and Thy

Now the Lord is that Spirit:
and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
2 Corinthians 3:17

There are also certain Christians who make an issue out of praying to God in the singular form of the personal pronounce. While it is true that this is the Biblical language used in the Bible when men of God prayed to God, those who can pray using the older form of personal pronounces in addressing God must be careful not to fall into spiritual pride. It is indeed commendable to address God using such pronounces as it certainly gives due reverence to our Almighty God who is worthy of all honor, praise and glory.

However, being able to pray in such a manner does not imply that a Christian is really spiritual at all! Any unsaved actor can also learn to pray in such a way in their acting. Prayers must come sincerely from the heart. It is no point having the ability to pray using such pronounces and pray prayers such as “Oh God, may thou grant unto us repentance” where there is no desire to repent to begin with. Other vain prayers would be like “God grant us a closer walk with thee” but once after church service, you can hear mouthful of worldly and sometimes even irreverent conversation from the same person who made that prayer. It is simply just a form and God hates it. And God is definitely not mocked! You can be sure that such a person is praying amiss whose prayers do not rise above the ceiling from where he prayed.

Consider the instruction from the Lord on how not to pray amiss.

And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. (Matthew 6:5-8)

There are many Christians who did not learn to pray using such pronounces but their lives are full of good works glorifying the Savior. It is wonderful, good and ideal that all Christians should address God using such singular personal pronounces but this is no guarantee of a life of faith, hope and charity. After all, what are you going to say about prayers not made in English? Are prayers made in other languages less effectual? James said, “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” (James 5:16b)

Don’t ask a man who can mouth in “thou, thee and thy” but has not been faithful to the Lord to intercede to God on your behalf. It is not going to work because “Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.” (Proverbs 25:19) Go to a righteous man whether or not he prays using Biblical singular pronounces to address God, it is sure to work because God looks in the heart and not on the appearance. God is pleased to bless his children who walk uprightly.