How could Jesus pray to God if He is God? Was Jesus praying to Himself?

TL;DR:

Jesus prayed to God the Father because it was an appropriate, natural, and essential part of His mission on earth. Jesus’ prayers set an example for us to grow in intimacy with our Heavenly Father.

Jesus prayed to the Father to enjoy the fellowship of the Triune Godhead of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Sometimes, the Bible simply says, "Jesus prayed," yet other times we see a glimpse of something more. Following Jesus' baptism, He prayed, and "the heavens were opened, and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, 'You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased'" (Luke 3:21-22). In John 17 is the “High Priestly Prayer” in which He prays for Himself, His followers, and then for future believers. He was not merely “praying to Himself” but actually addressed His Heavenly Father, who is a distinct, unique member of the Holy Trinity. The incarnate Christ needed communication with His Heavenly Father. While He was equal to God in importance (fully God), He was fully flesh and bone, needy for His Heavenly Father like the rest of us. Jesus also prayed to God because it benefited those around Him, as was the case with Lazarus being raised from the dead (John 11:41-42). Lastly, as our High Priest, Jesus intercedes on behalf of God's people(Hebrews 2:17).

from the old testament

Jesus praying to God is not mentioned in the Old Testament, but the Old Testament often portrays a distinction in God’s actions and speech that Christians later understand as a foreshadowing of the Trinity. For example, in Genesis 18, Abraham speaks with “the LORD” (Yahweh), yet the narrative distinguishes between the LORD and the angels present. Similarly, passages like Psalm 2:7 and Isaiah 42:1 show a figure called God’s “servant” or “anointed one” who is distinct from God the Father, hinting at relational distinctions within the Godhead.
The Old Testament anticipates the Messiah as fully human who will rely on God. Isaiah 53 depicts the Suffering Servant as experiencing sorrow, obedience, and reliance on God, which is reminiscent of Jesus’ prayers in the New Testament. His prayers reflect His human nature submitting to the Father, not a contradiction of His divinity.

from the new testament

Within the context of a prayer in Luke 3:21-22, Father, Son, and Spirit are all revealed in perfect fellowship.
Jesus acts as intercessor in John 17, sometimes called the "High Priestly Prayer." He prayed because while He was equal with the Father as well as the Holy Spirit, He was still a distinct being—-fully man, fully God.
Another reason for Jesus praying to God the Father is found in John 11:41-42. In this passage, Jesus prays before He raises Lazarus from the dead: "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me." Clearly, Jesus prayed to the Father for the benefit of those around Him.
One of the most important callings of all believers is to pray. Jesus was fully human as well as fully God, and it was perfectly fitting that He should pray to the Father in heaven. The key to understanding how Jesus could pray to God the Father is found in Hebrews 2:17.

implications for today

Jesus prayed to His Heavenly Father for many reasons. First, Jesus maintained an intimate and dependent relationship with His Heavenly Father that sets the tone for how we should live. That Jesus Christ spent so much time with His Father even though He was equal in importance should both humble and inspire us in our abiding relationship with God. Also, Jesus did not merely pray for Himself. He prayed for others, including His enemies, followers, and those He knew would become future believers. This exemplifies what it looks like for us to pray on behalf of others. Finally, Jesus praying to His Heavenly Father for others gives us a glimpse of His (current) role as our High Priest: "Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:14-15).

understand

The incarnate Christ prayed to the Father as a way to commune with the Father.
Jesus also prayed for others.
Jesus’ prayers to the Father manifest His current role as our great High Priest.

reflect

What encouragement have you drawn from reading about Jesus’ prayers to the Father?
How does it impact your faith to know that Jesus intercedes for you with the Father?
How does the incarnate Christ’s need to commune with the Father help you to view the role of prayer in your life?

engage

How can Jesus’ prayers serve as a model for Christians’ prayer life?
How does understanding Jesus’ dual nature—fully God and fully human—deepen our appreciation for the purpose and example of His prayers?
How does seeing Jesus as our High Priest, who prays for us, change the way we approach God in prayer and trust His intercession on our behalf?