Who Did Jesus Pray To? Understanding Jesus's Relationship with the Father
Introduction: The Question That Changes Everything
Imagine you're reading the Gospels for the first time, with fresh eyes, knowing nothing about Christian theology or church traditions.
You come to a passage where Jesus goes off alone to pray. You watch Him kneel down, lift His face to heaven, and begin speaking to someone He calls "Father."
A simple question would pop into your mind: "Who is He talking to?"
And if someone told you, "He's talking to Himself—He IS God," you'd probably be confused. Why would God pray to Himself? Why would God have conversations with Himself? Why would God ask Himself for things?
Yet this is exactly what millions of Christians believe: that Jesus is God, and when He prayed, He was somehow God talking to God.
Let's look at what actually happened when Jesus prayed. Because if we're honest about what the Bible shows us, Jesus's prayers reveal who He really is—and who He is not.
The Pattern: Jesus Consistently Prayed to the Father
This isn't a minor detail in the Gospels. Prayer defines Jesus's relationship with God.
Let's walk through Jesus's prayer life chronologically and see what we discover.
At His Baptism: The Beginning of His Ministry
"When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: 'You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.'" (Luke 3:21-22)
Right at the start of His ministry, we see:
- Jesus praying (talking to someone)
- A voice from heaven responding to Him
- That voice calling Jesus "my Son"
If Jesus is God, who is the voice from heaven? Is God having a conversation with Himself? Is God calling Himself "my Son"?
Or is the simpler explanation that Jesus—the human Messiah—is praying to His God and Father, who responds from heaven?
In the Wilderness: Choosing God's Will Over His Own
Before Jesus began preaching, He spent 40 days fasting and praying in the wilderness, where He was tempted by Satan.
When Satan tempted Him, Jesus responded with Scripture:
"Jesus answered, 'It is written: "Worship the Lord your God and serve him only."'" (Luke 4:8)
Notice what Jesus said: Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.
Jesus didn't say "Worship me." He pointed to God as the one to worship. And throughout His time in the wilderness, Jesus was communing with that God in prayer—seeking His Father's strength and guidance.
Before Choosing the Twelve: Seeking the Father's Guidance
"One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them." (Luke 6:12-13)
Jesus spent the entire night in prayer before choosing the twelve apostles.
Who was He talking to all night? Himself?
No—He was talking to God. The text is clear: He was "praying to God." Jesus sought His Father's wisdom for this crucial decision.
This shows us something beautiful: Jesus, though sinless and filled with God's Spirit, depended on His Father. He didn't act independently. He sought God's will in prayer.
In Gethsemane: The Most Revealing Prayer
This might be the most important prayer in all of Scripture for understanding who Jesus is. Let's read it carefully:
"Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, 'My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.'... He went away a second time and prayed, 'My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.'" (Matthew 26:39, 42)
Let's break down what's happening here:
1. Jesus has a different will than the Father
- "Not as I will, but as you will"
- If Jesus is God, how can He have a different will than God?
- God's will is perfect and unified—there's no internal conflict in God
2. Jesus submits His will to the Father's
- He asks for the cup to pass, but defers to the Father's decision
- This shows hierarchy—the Father's will supersedes Jesus's will
- God doesn't submit to anyone; God is the ultimate authority
3. Jesus is in agony and needs strength
- Luke tells us: "An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly" (Luke 22:43-44)
- God needs no strengthening from angels
- God doesn't experience agony or need to pray "more earnestly"
4. Jesus calls the Father "My God"
- Mark records: "Abba, Father... everything is possible for you" (Mark 14:36)
- "Abba" is the Aramaic word for "father"—intimate, personal, relational
- You don't call yourself "Father"—you call your father "Father"
The question is unavoidable: If Jesus is God, why does He pray? Why does He submit His will? Why does He need strength? Why does He have a different will than "God" that He must surrender?
The answer: Jesus is not God. He's God's Son—the human Messiah who perfectly submitted to His Father's will, even unto death.
On the Cross: Forsaken but Trusting
Even in His darkest moment, Jesus prayed:
"About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, 'Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?' (which means 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?')." (Matthew 27:46)
Jesus quoted Psalm 22:1, crying out to "My God."
Can God be forsaken by God? Can God feel abandoned by Himself?
This only makes sense if Jesus is not God, but rather God's faithful servant experiencing the depths of human suffering—yet still calling out to His God in trust.
And Jesus's final words:
"Jesus called out with a loud voice, 'Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.' When he had said this, he breathed his last." (Luke 23:46)
With His dying breath, Jesus prayed to the Father, committing His spirit into the Father's hands.
After the Resurrection: Still Praying to His God
You might think: "Well, maybe Jesus prayed when He was human, but after the resurrection, everything changed."
Let's see:
"Jesus said, 'Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, "I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God."'" (John 20:17)
After His resurrection—in His glorified body—Jesus still called the Father:
- "My Father" (showing the relationship continues)
- "My God" (showing Jesus still worships the Father as God)
If the resurrection made Jesus "fully God," why does He still call the Father "my God"?
The answer: Jesus's relationship with the Father didn't change. He was, is, and always will be the Son—God's appointed Messiah and King, but not God Himself.
In Heaven Right Now: Jesus Is Still Praying
Even now, seated at God's right hand, what is Jesus doing?
"Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us." (Romans 8:34)
"Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them." (Hebrews 7:25)
Jesus is interceding—praying to God on our behalf.
If Jesus is God, who is He praying to? Himself?
No—He's praying to the Father, functioning as our High Priest who represents us before God.
Jesus's Longest Prayer: John 17
John 17 contains Jesus's longest recorded prayer. If you want to understand Jesus's relationship with the Father, read this chapter carefully. Here are the key moments:
Jesus Prays TO the Father
"After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: 'Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.'" (John 17:1)
The structure is clear:
- Jesus looks to heaven (where the Father is)
- Jesus prays to the Father
- Jesus asks the Father to glorify Him (the Son)
This is a conversation between two persons—the Father in heaven and the Son on earth.
Jesus Defines Eternal Life
"Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." (John 17:3)
This is stunning. In His prayer to the Father, Jesus says:
"You, [Father], the only true God"
If Jesus is the "only true God," why is He calling someone else "the only true God"?
And notice: Jesus distinguishes Himself from "the only true God" by identifying Himself as the one whom God sent.
The sender (God) and the sent one (Jesus) are two different persons. The "only true God" is the Father. Jesus is the one God sent.
Jesus Had Glory WITH the Father
"And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began." (John 17:5)
Some read this and say, "See! Jesus existed before the world began, so He must be God!"
But notice what Jesus actually says:
- He had glory with the Father (not as the Father)
- He asks the Father to give Him that glory back
- He distinguishes "me" and "you"—two persons
This could refer to:
- Jesus existing in God's foreknowledge and plan
- The Word/Wisdom of God (God's plan personified) that became flesh in Jesus
- Jesus's pre-existence as God's first creation or as an angel (though this raises other issues)
But whatever it means, it doesn't make Jesus "the only true God"—because Jesus just called the Father that in verse 3!
Jesus Reveals the Father's Name
"I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world... I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known." (John 17:6, 26)
Jesus's mission was to reveal the Father. He made the Father known.
Why would God need to reveal Himself to people? Why would God need to make Himself known?
But if Jesus is the Son—God's perfect human representative—then His mission makes sense: to reveal to humanity what the invisible God is like.
Jesus Prays for Unity—Like His Unity with the Father
"I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you." (John 17:20-21)
"I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one." (John 17:22)
Jesus prayed that believers would be "one" just as He and the Father are "one."
If Jesus and the Father being "one" means they're the same being, then Jesus is praying for all believers to become the same being too!
Obviously not. Jesus is praying for unity of purpose, will, and love—the same kind of unity He shares with the Father.
The Father and Son are "one" in will, mission, and love—but they are clearly two distinct persons, as this entire prayer demonstrates.
What About "I Am" Statements?
Some point to Jesus's "I am" statements as proof He claimed to be God. Let's look at the most famous one:
"'Very truly I tell you,' Jesus answered, 'before Abraham was born, I am!' At this, they picked up stones to stone him." (John 8:58-59)
The argument goes: "Jesus said 'I am' (ego eimi in Greek), echoing God's name 'I AM' from Exodus 3:14, so He's claiming to be God!"
But notice several things:
1. Jesus doesn't say "I am God"
- He says He existed before Abraham
- Pre-existence doesn't equal being God (angels pre-existed)
2. "Ego eimi" is common Greek
- The blind man in John 9:9 says "ego eimi" ("I am he")
- It's a normal way to say "I am" or "It's me" in Greek
3. The Jews' reaction doesn't prove Jesus claimed to be God
- They got angry when Jesus claimed to be the Messiah too (didn't require being God)
- They misunderstood Jesus throughout the Gospels
4. Context matters
- In the same conversation, Jesus says: "I am not seeking glory for myself; but there is one who seeks it, and he is the judge" (John 8:50)
- Jesus distinguishes Himself from God who judges
Most importantly: If Jesus believed He was "I AM" from Exodus 3:14, why did He pray to "I AM"? Why did He call "I AM" His God?
You can't have it both ways. Either Jesus is God (I AM), or Jesus worships God. The Bible consistently shows Jesus worshiping God, which means Jesus is not God.
The Implications: What This Means
If we take Jesus's prayers seriously—and we must—we're forced to conclude:
1. Jesus and the Father Are Two Distinct Persons
Every single prayer proves this. You can't pray to yourself. You can't have a conversation with yourself and call it prayer.
Jesus consistently speaks to the Father as another person.
2. The Father Is Greater Than Jesus
Jesus explicitly said this:
"The Father is greater than I." (John 14:28)
And His prayers demonstrate it:
- Jesus submits to the Father's will (Gethsemane)
- Jesus asks the Father for things (glorification, protection for disciples)
- Jesus receives from the Father (glory, authority, mission)
The one who gives is greater than the one who receives. The one whose will prevails is greater than the one who submits.
3. Jesus Is Dependent on the Father
"Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing." (John 5:19)
"By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me." (John 5:30)
God is not dependent on anyone. God needs no help, no guidance, no strength from others.
But Jesus needed:
- Guidance (prayed all night before choosing disciples)
- Strength (angel strengthened Him in Gethsemane)
- The Father's will to prevail over His own (Gethsemane)
This shows Jesus is not God, but God's dependent servant.
4. Jesus Worships the Father
Throughout His life, Jesus:
- Prayed to the Father
- Obeyed the Father
- Sought the Father's glory (not His own)
- Called the Father "my God"
God doesn't worship anyone. God is the object of worship.
But Jesus worshiped the Father—which means Jesus is not God.
5. Jesus Is Our Mediator
"For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus." (1 Timothy 2:5)
A mediator stands between two parties.
Jesus stands between us and God—bringing us to God through His prayers and intercession.
If Jesus is God, He can't be the mediator between God and us. He'd be one of the parties, not the one standing between them.
But Jesus perfectly fits the role of mediator because He's human—"the man Christ Jesus"—who represents us before God.
The Simple Truth
When you read the Gospels honestly, without theological assumptions, the answer to "Who did Jesus pray to?" is obvious:
Jesus prayed to God—His Father.
And because Jesus prayed to God:
- Jesus is not God
- Jesus is God's Son (in the biblical sense—God's appointed representative)
- Jesus is the Messiah (God's chosen King)
- Jesus is our High Priest and mediator
This isn't diminishing Jesus. This is honoring Jesus as He actually is, not as later theology made Him out to be.
How This Changes Your Prayer Life
Understanding Jesus's prayers should transform how you pray:
Pray Like Jesus Prayed
Jesus taught: "This, then, is how you should pray: 'Our Father in heaven...'" (Matthew 6:9)
Notice:
- Jesus told us to pray to "Our Father" (not to Jesus)
- Jesus taught us to pray like He prayed
Pray to the Father, Through Jesus
"In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name." (John 16:23)
The pattern:
- Pray TO: The Father
- Pray THROUGH: Jesus (in His name, by His authority as mediator)
- Pray IN: The Spirit (who helps us pray)
Example Prayer Following Jesus's Model
"Father in heaven, I come to you through Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. Thank you for sending your Son to save me. Thank you that He is my High Priest and mediator, Interceding for me at your right hand.
I ask [your requests]...
Not my will, but yours be done. Through Jesus Christ my Lord, Amen."
This prayer:
- Is directed to the Father (like Jesus prayed)
- Comes through Jesus (our mediator)
- Submits to God's will (like Jesus did)
- Honors both the Father and the Son appropriately
Addressing Objections
"But Jesus accepted worship!"
The Greek word often translated "worship" (proskuneo) can also mean "bow down" or "pay homage." It was used for:
- Greeting a king
- Showing respect to someone in authority
- Honoring a master or lord
It doesn't always mean "worship as God."
When people bowed to Jesus, they were honoring Him as:
- The Messiah
- God's appointed King
- The Lord (master/ruler)
Even if they "worshiped" Jesus, that doesn't make Him God—any more than the Israelites worshiping (bowing to) David made David into God.
"But Jesus said 'I and the Father are one!'"
Yes, in John 10:30. And we already covered this in the John 17 prayer:
"That they may be one as we are one." (John 17:22)
If Jesus and the Father being "one" makes them the same being, then all believers become the same being too!
"One" means unity of purpose, will, and love—not identity of being.
"But what about the Trinity?"
The Trinity is a later theological development (formulated 300+ years after Jesus) that tries to explain how Jesus can be worshiped while maintaining monotheism.
But the simpler biblical explanation is:
- God is ONE (the Father)
- Jesus is God's Son (the human Messiah)
- We honor Jesus highly, but worship God alone
Jesus's prayers make this crystal clear.
Conclusion: Listen to Jesus Pray
If you want to know who Jesus is, listen to Him pray.
Don't start with 4th-century creeds or complicated theological explanations. Start with Jesus Himself:
- In the garden, sweating blood, crying "Abba, Father... not my will, but yours"
- On the cross, forsaken, crying "My God, my God"
- In resurrection glory, calling the Father "my God"
- In heaven right now, interceding for you
Every prayer reveals the truth: Jesus is not God. Jesus is God's beloved Son—the human Messiah who perfectly obeyed His Father, died for our sins, was raised by God, and now sits at God's right hand praying for us.
That's the Jesus of the Bible.
And that's enough. He doesn't need to be God to save you. As God's appointed High Priest and mediator, He brings you to God through His perfect life, sacrificial death, and powerful resurrection.
Honor Jesus. Obey Jesus. Follow Jesus. Thank God for sending Jesus.
But worship the one Jesus worshiped—the Father, the only true God.
That's what Jesus did. Let's follow His example.
For Further Study
Read these prayers of Jesus carefully:
- Luke 3:21-22 (At His baptism)
- Luke 6:12-13 (All night before choosing the twelve)
- Matthew 11:25-26 (Praising the Father)
- John 11:41-42 (Before raising Lazarus)
- Matthew 26:36-46 (Gethsemane)
- Luke 23:34 (On the cross: "Father, forgive them")
- Luke 23:46 (On the cross: "Into your hands I commit my spirit")
- John 17 (His longest prayer—read the whole chapter)
Questions to consider:
- Count how many times Jesus prays in the Gospels. Who is He praying to?
- If Jesus is God, why does He pray?
- Why does Jesus submit His will to the Father's will in Gethsemane?
- Why does Jesus call the Father "the only true God" in John 17:3?
- Why does Jesus say "the Father is greater than I" in John 14:28?
Challenge: Read through one Gospel (start with Mark—it's the shortest) and highlight every time Jesus:
- Prays
- Talks about the Father
- Distinguishes Himself from the Father
- Submits to the Father's will
Then ask yourself: Does this sound like God? Or does this sound like God's faithful human servant—the Messiah?