Ask the Father directly

John 16 captures some of Jesus’ final words before His arrest. These are not casual teachings. They are intense lessons and challenges. Jesus knows He is about to leave His disciples, and He prepares them for what comes next.

He also repeatedly assures them that He will not leave them alone. The Advocate will come; He will bring things to remembrance.

Then Jesus says something radical: they can pray directly to the Father–their Father–without need for an intermediary. They can say, “Our Father,” just as Jesus taught them in Matthew 6.

Through Jesus, access to the Father is opened. Prayer is no longer mediated by location, status, or ritual. Followers of Jesus are invited to come directly, to ask, to seek, and to knock. Matthew 7 makes the promise clear: the Father hears and responds.

How do you make use of this privilege?

If we’re not careful, prayer can become routine. “Our Father” can sound familiar without being personal. Jesus’ words in John 16 call His followers back into intentional conversation with God.

Read the chapter closely, and you will encounter the Father’s desire to work through you. Prayer is the way that relationship is formed and sustained.

Talk with your Father in heaven, and don’t forget to listen to His voice, too.

Reflection Questions

• How would you describe your current prayer life? Is there room for growth?
• What invitation do you sense from Jesus in these passages?
• How can you respond to that invitation? Who could help you with that?
• What role does the Spirit of truth play in your prayers?

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for making a way to the Father. Thank You that I can even call Him my Father. Lord, help me not to forget this privilege. Teach me to live each day in conversation with Him. Amen.

Next Steps

This Reading Plan was created by Alongsiders Europe, a discipleship movement, in partnership with OneHope and Jesus.net.

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Because when we follow Jesus, we never walk alone.