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Who Are We Praying To?

Understanding the Trinity and True Prayer

Have you ever wondered who you're actually talking to when you pray? You might say "God," but are you picturing Jesus? Maybe the Holy Spirit? Or is it just a vague sense of some divine presence? The truth is, many people—even in the church—pray without fully understanding who they are addressing. That’s okay at first, but as we grow in our faith, it becomes progressively important to know whether we're talking to the God of the Bible or something else. Understanding more about the Trinity brings clarity to this essential question.

Who Holds All the Power?

Let’s start with the heart of the matter: God the Father is the one who holds all authority and power. This isn’t just a theological opinion; it’s straight from Jesus. In Matthew 6:9, when Jesus teaches His disciples how to pray, He begins with, “Our Father in heaven…” Jesus is pointing us directly to the source—the Father, who is in charge.

Imagine you're at work, and there's a boss with final authority over everything. You wouldn't spend all your time making requests to the team members, even though they play important roles, when you know the boss is the one with the ultimate say—and He's in the room with you! Jesus taught us to direct our prayers to the Father because He’s the one with the final authority.

Because the Father holds all authority, it’s essential that our prayers reflect this truth. But prayer isn’t just about making requests—it’s about much more.

What Is Prayer, Really?

At its core, prayer is communication with God—but it’s not just us throwing words into the air. It’s a two-way conversation where we speak to the Father, and He responds. Sometimes we might ask for something, other times we might express gratitude or seek guidance. But in all cases, prayer is meant to align us with God’s will, not the other way around.

Think of prayer like calling a loved one for advice. You don’t just say your piece and hang up—you wait for a response. True prayer involves talking to the Father and being open to hearing His direction. And that’s where the Holy Spirit and Jesus come in.

The Trinity: Three Roles, One Connection

Here’s where it gets a little tricky—God is one, but exists in three distinct persons: Father, Son (Jesus), and Holy Spirit. Let’s break this down in a way that makes sense:

  • The Father is the one with all authority. He’s the ultimate decision-maker, the creator of all things, the sustainer of the universe, and the sovereign ruler over everything that happens. When we pray, it’s to the Father that our prayers are directed, as He holds the final say. It’s where we direct our praise, our requests, our confessions, and our thanksgiving. But beyond His authority, the Father deeply desires a relationship with us. Our prayers are not just to an all-powerful ruler, but to a loving Father who wants to draw near to His children.

  • Jesus is our mediator and advocate. As 1 Timothy 2:5 says, "For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus." When we pray, Jesus represents us to the Father, ensuring that our concerns are understood. In 1 John 2:1, Jesus is described as our advocate, defending us when we fall short. But Jesus doesn’t just mediate—He’s continually interceding on our behalf (Hebrews 7:25). Beyond prayer, Jesus is preparing a place for us in Heaven, as noted in John 14:2-3. His work isn’t finished—it’s ongoing, both as our advocate and in preparing our eternal home.

  • The Holy Spirit is like a translator, helping you express what’s on your heart, especially when you don’t have the words. Romans 8:26-27 tells us that the Spirit helps us in our weakness, ensuring that even when we don’t know what to pray, our thoughts, feelings, and intentions are communicated clearly to the Father. The Holy Spirit doesn’t change our prayers but assists us in communicating them perfectly. Additionally, everything that happens on Earth by God is through the Holy Spirit. Whether the Father wants to get our attention, empower us, or guide us in ways beyond words, it’s the Holy Spirit that carries out that work at the Father’s will.

And while the Father has all of the authority, we cannot approach Him without Jesus' advocacy on our behalf, nor without the Holy Spirit translating and helping us express what we truly mean. The more we understand who we are praying with, the more intimate our relationship becomes with all three persons of the Trinity. We grow more grateful for the work of the Holy Spirit, the intercession of Jesus, and the sovereign power of the Father, all working together as one—whom we call God.

Pray to the Father, but God’s Got You Covered

The good news is, God teaches the truly faithful how to pray better each and every time, the more we listen to Him. We might start with wish lists, but God gently nudges us more to His better lists instead. And we might pray to Jesus or the Holy Spirit, but even they will lead you to the Father the more we truly hear what they are saying.

When we pray, the Holy Spirit ensures our hearts are understood and helps us communicate our deepest thoughts, while Jesus mediates, ensuring our prayers reach the Father. Together, they help us follow the model Jesus gave us—to direct our prayers to the Father, who is the one with the authority and the final say.

Prayer Brings Clarity

One of the most profound aspects of genuine prayer is its capacity to bring clarity. The more we engage in authentic, heartfelt prayer, the more we align ourselves with God’s truth. The Holy Spirit plays a key role in this process, guiding us into all truth (John 16:13). Through prayer, the Holy Spirit helps refine our understanding of the Trinity and directs our focus where it belongs—toward the Father.

As you spend time in prayer, you’ll start to sense a greater connection to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Your prayer life will deepen, and over time, you’ll find yourself following the model Jesus gave—praying to the Father, through Jesus, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It’s not about getting the formula right, but about building that relationship with Three-In-One, and understanding as you grow.

Take This Next Step

So, the next time you pray, pause and consider whom you are addressing. Are you talking to the Father, as Jesus instructed, and trusting Jesus and the Holy Spirit to help you along the way? If this feels new or unfamiliar, that’s okay—the Holy Spirit will help you. Start where you are, and ask God to guide you into deeper understanding and relationship with Him.

For a Deeper Connection - consider reflecting in prayer on each of these passages:

Jesus Prayed to the Father

  1. John 17:25-26 – “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them.”
  2. Matthew 26:39 – “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.’”
  3. Luke 22:42 – “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”
  4. John 17:1 – “After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: ‘Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.’”
  5. Luke 23:46 – “Jesus called out with a loud voice, ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.’ When he had said this, he breathed his last.”

Jesus Led Us to the Father

  1. John 14:6 – “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’”
  2. John 5:19 – “The Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing.”
  3. Matthew 6:9 – “This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name…’”
  4. John 14:13 – “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”
  5. John 6:38 – “I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.”

God Reveals Mysteries to His Chosen/Faithful

  1. Matthew 13:11 – “He replied, ‘Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.’”
  2. Colossians 1:26 – “The mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people.”
  3. 1 Corinthians 2:10 – “These are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.”
  4. Matthew 11:25 – “At that time Jesus answered and said, ‘I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes.’”
  5. Ephesians 3:9 – “…and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.”

The Father Wants to Have a Relationship with Us

  1. John 17:3 – “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.”
  2. 1 John 3:1 – “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!”
  3. Romans 8:15 – “The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’”
  4. John 14:23 – “Jesus replied, ‘Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.’”
  5. James 4:8 – “Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

Postscript to Church Leaders

As spiritual leaders, we hold a unique responsibility to guide our congregations in aligning their prayers with the clear model set by Scripture. Jesus Himself directed us to pray to the Father, and the role of Jesus as mediator and the Holy Spirit as our helper are central to understanding the relational dynamics within the Trinity.

While it is natural for new believers to pray to Jesus or the Holy Spirit, we must gently encourage growth in their understanding of the Father's authority, Jesus' advocacy, and the Holy Spirit's role in helping them express their prayers clearly. This doesn’t diminish the divinity of Jesus or the Spirit, but aligns with Jesus' own teachings about how we should approach God in prayer.

As leaders, it is essential that we model and teach prayer that reflects the fullness of the Trinity, always pointing back to the Father, who holds the final say and to whom all glory is due. Recognize that anyone who is struggling with this understanding might not fully know God yet, and needs more help than simply direction—they need guidance that leads them into a true and intimate relationship with Him. Above all, let us ensure we are pointing them to the Father through the Son, with the help of the Holy Spirit, so that they may grow in the fullness of their faith and their relationship with Him.

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