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When I was a member of a religious group, I always thought I was doing Jesus a great injustice by just adding the tag “In Jesus Name” as if Jesus was not listening. The question of whether Jesus wants us to pray to Him or only to the Father or both, is one that has puzzled Christians for centuries. It touches on the nature of prayer, the relationship between Jesus and the Father, and how believers are invited to approach God. Looking at the Bible, we find some illuminating insights that can guide us.
When Jesus taught His disciples about prayer, He pointed them to the Father. The Lord’s Prayer, for instance, begins with the words, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.” It’s clear that Jesus wanted His followers to direct their hearts and minds to God the Father, emphasizing a close and personal relationship. This prayer, often seen as a model for all Christian prayer, places the Father at the centre.
But then, Jesus also says something remarkable in the Gospel of John:
“…whatever you ask in My name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me for anything in My name, I will do it.” (John 14:13-14).
This passage suggests that Jesus Himself is involved in answering prayer. He doesn’t simply pass the request along to the Father; He takes an active role, showing His authority and unity with God.
This dual focus—the Father as the one to whom prayers are directed and Jesus as the mediator—runs through much of the New Testament. Paul, for instance, calls Jesus the "one mediator between God and men” (1 Timothy 2:5). In other words, Jesus isn’t just a passive figure in our prayers. He is the bridge that connects us to the Father, ensuring that our prayers are heard and answered according to God’s will.
Interestingly, there are moments in the Bible where people pray directly to Jesus. One important example is Stephen, one of the early disciples. As he was being stoned, he cried out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. Falling on his knees, he cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” (Acts 7:59). In that desperate and sacred moment, Stephen turned to Jesus, acknowledging Him as the one who could receive his soul. Similarly, Paul describes pleading with the Lord—likely Jesus—about a "thorn in the flesh" that tormented him, asking for relief (2 Corinthians 12:8-9). These moments show that prayer to Jesus has a strong precedent in Christian practice.
Of course, some Christians feel strongly that prayer should only be directed to the Father, following Jesus’ example. They argue that Jesus’ role is to intercede on our behalf, rather than to be the recipient of prayer.
So where does that leave us? It seems that the Bible leaves room for both approaches. Jesus taught us to pray to the Father, and yet He also invited us to ask in His name, promising that He would act. Moments like Stephen’s prayer to Jesus or Paul’s pleas remind us that Jesus is not only our mediator but also the Lord who hears and responds.
Finding the balance is up to each individual, but the ultimate motive is to bring glory to the Father and honour to Jesus whom every knee will bend to.
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