How to Pray to Heavenly Father

When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray, He taught them by opening the prayer with “Our Father (see Luke 11:1-4).” Jesus taught us to pray to Heavenly Father because He is our Almighty God, our Creator, and the Giver of Life. He is the One Who formed our inner parts and knitted us in our mother’s womb (see Psalm 139:14). And Almighty as He is, Jesus didn’t address God in prayer as “God” but “Father.” Why is that? Because Jesus wants us to have that kind of relationship with God—He is our Father who looks after His children. He wants us to come to Him freely without guilt, condemnation, and fear of punishment. 1 John 4:18 says, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.”

How can you pray to your heavenly Father? You can pray about anything you want to Him. As a child freely approaches his parents, and so are you toward Heavenly Father as a child of God through Christ Jesus. For instance, you may want to pray about the security of your walk with Him. You can pray and declare Philippians 1:6, Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. You can pray in this manner:

Heavenly Father, thank You for this wonderful relationship with You. Even though I stumble and fall at times, I am confident in Your promise that You Who began this good work in me will complete it until the day Jesus Christ returns. I don’t have to fear and doubt the future because I have the Holy Spirit, Who helps me in my walk every day. Thank You, Father, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Why do we pray to Heavenly Father?

There are many reasons why people pray to Heavenly Father. We can come to Him about anything, just as children are freely able to approach their parents for anything. Here are some reasons why pray to Heavenly Father:

1. Protection and security

We pray to Heavenly Father for His protection because we know that He alone can protect us from the works of the enemy and from the things that are against His will in our lives. Psalm 91 is a great verse that speaks of God’s mighty protection to those who trust in Him.

2. Guidance

We also need Heavenly Father’s guidance daily because we don’t know what’s ahead of us. He alone knows which is the best road to take in life. His Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Psalm 119:105).

3. Wisdom

True wisdom comes from God alone. We can have worldly wisdom, but it won’t take us far in life. Only the Father’s wisdom can bring life-giving results into our lives (see James 3:13-18).

4. Provision

We also pray to the Father for providing us with the things we need to accomplish His will. His provision is always there to help us in our faith walk with Him whether it is in terms of shelter, divine connections and friendships, materials needed, etc. Just take a look at Abraham—God provided for him a lamb to sacrifice (Genesis 22:8).

5. Supplication 

We also come to the Father to supply us with all our needs, most especially the things that our body and soul need like food, clothes, money, and even the desires of our hearts. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19).

6. Specific personal requests

Jesus said, And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son (John 14:13). We can come to the Father in Jesus’ name with whatever personal requests we have as long as such requests are according to the will and purpose of God.

7. Forgiveness

We can also come boldly and without condemnation to the Father to ask for forgiveness when we stumble into sin. Hebrews 4:16 says, Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. 

8. Spiritual blessing

We can pray to the Father for anointing, to be a powerful vessel for use in the advancement of the Kingdom, and for spiritual gifts such as healing, word of knowledge, tongues, etc. for serving His people and to bring Him glory. All these spiritual blessings come from the Father. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ (Ephesians 1:3).

9. Material blessing

While there are some believers opposed to asking God for material blessings and prosperity, it is His will to bless us with wealth as well. When we ask for material blessings because we want to use them for His purpose, God won’t hold back a good thing. But we must never forget God and should be thankful to Him always. But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day. (Deuteronomy 8:18).

10. Healing, deliverance, and salvation

We can come to the Father as well for healing, deliverance, and salvation of loved ones or even ourselves. He won’t turn down these kinds of prayers because it is His will to heal you, deliver you, and find salvation through Christ Jesus His Son. Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise (Jeremiah 17:14).

11. Peace

The peace of God helps us to walk on secure footing and victory through Christ against the enemy. We can come to Heavenly Father to ask for His peace that crushes Satan under our feet (see Romans 16:20).

12. To know Him more, appreciate Him, be in fellowship with Him, and receive instructions and revelations.

This prayer is what makes Heavenly Father glad and swell with joy more than anything. When we come to Him to simply seek Him, get to know Him, be in fellowship with Him, and receive His love and affirmation, He empowers us in all aspects of our lives. One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple (Psalm 27:4).

There are many other things for which you can talk to and pray to Heavenly Father, and these are discussed in the next part. Not many understand this kind of relationship with God because only by seeing how Jesus lived and following in His steps can we come to the Father (see John 14:6). Even the Pharisees accused Jesus of blasphemy for calling God His Father (see John 5:18-24) because they did not see Jesus for Who He was, and they didn’t believe in Him. 

In today’s generation, it can be a struggle for most people to approach God as Heavenly Father due to broken and twisted concepts of family. But God wants us to know that He is like no others. He doesn’t love like people do, with terms and conditions. The Father’s love is unconditional, compassionate, gentle, kind, and selfless. He wants us to come close to Jesus daily so that we may know Him and worship Him with all our hearts. Jesus said in John 4:23, “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him.” 

How do we honor our Heavenly Father?

To honor God is to honor His Word with reverence and obedience. God’s Word is His will to mankind. He has written the Scriptures through people who had a relationship with Him, to pass on the knowledge of His greatness and goodness to thousands of generations and the next to come. 

Honoring Heavenly Father is more about our lifestyle and the state of our minds and hearts. He knows every process people are going through and He sees all our deeds and motives. If we love Him, we will abide in Jesus’ words because the Father is in Christ. When we do our best to follow the footsteps of Christ, it shows we truly revere and honor God.

Take a look at why children obey their parents. There are many reasons why a child obeys his or her parents, depending on how a child is raised—out of fear of punishment, for the sake of rewards, to be affirmed of value, to feel good and loved enough, and so much more. But when a child obeys because they know their parents love them, and they honor, trust, and respect their parents’ commands, wouldn’t that make our hearts swell with joy?

It’s the same thing with Heavenly Father. He wants us to truly honor and revere Him because we know that He loves us and that we love Him back. 

As you seek the Father in Spirit and in truth, may you encounter His life-changing love and pursuit of you as His child through Christ. May you dive deeper into the Father’s heart for you in Jesus’ name.