Scripture shows that our prayers are directed to Yahweh the Father, while Yeshua serves as our Mediator, High Priest, Advocate, and the One through whom we approach Yahweh.
1. Yeshua taught us to pray to Yahweh the Father
When the disciples asked Yeshua how to pray, He directed them to the Father:
“After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.”
— Matthew 6:9
“When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.”
— Luke 11:2
Yeshua did not tell His disciples to pray to Himself. He taught them to address Yahweh, our heavenly Father.
2. We pray to the Father in Yeshua’s name
“Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.”
— John 16:23
“Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”
— John 14:13
Praying in Yeshua’s name means more than simply ending a prayer with the words “in Yeshua’s name.” It means approaching Yahweh under Yeshua’s authority and in harmony with His character, teachings, and will.
3. Yeshua is the one Mediator between Yahweh and mankind
“For there is one Elohim, and one mediator between Elohim and men, the man Messiah Yeshua.”
— 1 Timothy 2:5
A mediator stands between two parties and makes reconciliation possible. Sin separated mankind from Yahweh, but through Yeshua’s sacrifice, we can be reconciled and brought near to the Father.
“But now in Messiah Yeshua ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Messiah.”
— Ephesians 2:13
4. Through Yeshua, we have access to Yahweh
“For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.”
— Ephesians 2:18
“In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.”
— Ephesians 3:12
“No man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
— John 14:6
Yeshua is the living way through which believers can confidently approach Yahweh.
5. Yeshua is our High Priest before Yahweh
Under the former covenant, the high priest represented Israel before Yahweh. Yeshua now fulfills the greater heavenly role of High Priest.
“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Yeshua the Son of Yahweh, let us hold fast our profession.”
— Hebrews 4:14
Because Yeshua experienced temptation, sorrow, pain, and human weakness, He understands what we face:
“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”
— Hebrews 4:15
Therefore:
“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
— Hebrews 4:16
We come boldly to Yahweh’s throne because Yeshua is our faithful High Priest.
6. Yeshua continually intercedes for us
“Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto Yahweh by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”
— Hebrews 7:25
“It is Messiah that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of Yahweh, who also maketh intercession for us.”
— Romans 8:34
To intercede means to plead or act on another person’s behalf. Yeshua lives and stands at Yahweh’s right hand, representing those who come to the Father through Him.
7. Yeshua is our Advocate when we sin
“My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Yeshua Messiah the righteous.”
— 1 John 2:1
An advocate speaks on behalf of another. When a repentant believer sins, Yeshua’s sacrifice and righteousness make forgiveness and reconciliation with Yahweh possible.
“And he is the propitiation for our sins.”
— 1 John 2:2
This does not excuse continued, deliberate sin. It means that when we genuinely repent, Yeshua represents us before the Father.
8. Yeshua’s sacrifice opened the way into Yahweh’s presence
“Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Yeshua, by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us…”
— Hebrews 10:19–20
“And having an high priest over the house of Yahweh; let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith.”
— Hebrews 10:21–22
Without Yeshua’s sacrifice, sin would continue to separate us from Yahweh. His blood opened the way for forgiven believers to approach the Father.
9. Yeshua presents the prayers of the saints before Yahweh
Revelation depicts the prayers of Yahweh’s people rising before His throne:
“Golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.”
— Revelation 5:8
Revelation 8:3–4 also describes incense being offered with the prayers of the saints before Yahweh. This agrees with Yeshua’s priestly role: our prayers reach the Father through the heavenly order established by Yahweh.
10. We offer thanksgiving to Yahweh through Yeshua
“Giving thanks always for all things unto Yahweh and the Father in the name of our Master Yeshua Messiah.”
— Ephesians 5:20
“Giving thanks to Yahweh and the Father by him.”
— Colossians 3:17
“By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to Yahweh continually.”
— Hebrews 13:15
The biblical pattern of prayer
The basic scriptural pattern is:
- We address Yahweh, our heavenly Father.
- We approach Him through Yeshua, our Mediator and High Priest.
- We pray in Yeshua’s name and under His authority.
- We ask according to Yahweh’s will.
- Yeshua intercedes and advocates for us before the Father.
- Yahweh hears and answers according to His wisdom and will.
“And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us.”
— 1 John 5:14
A simple prayer might therefore end:
“Father Yahweh, I bring these things before You through Yeshua, my High Priest and Mediator. I ask according to Your will, in Yeshua’s name. Amen.”
In short: we pray to Yahweh the Father, through Yeshua the Son. Yeshua does not replace the Father; He gives us access to the Father.
