Not much to comment on due to sheer lack of supporting verses. One may argue to the contrary, but there are no explicit examples where someone taught to pray to Jesus in the Bible. There are no examples of the word "pray" or "prayer" being used in conjunction with communicating to Jesus.
This is error and have already answered elsewhere.
. Ignatius of Antioch (c. 35–107 AD)
Ignatius is one of the earliest church fathers who demonstrates a profound understanding of Christ’s divine authority. He speaks of praying to Jesus and expressing devotion to Him, though he doesn’t offer formal prayers in the sense of modern liturgies.
Quote 1:
“I am the wheat of God, and let me be ground by the teeth of the beasts, that I may be found the pure bread of Christ.”
(Letter to the Romans 4)
While this is not a prayer to Jesus, Ignatius' expression of deep devotion and willingness to die for Christ reflects the early Christian reverence for Jesus. His letters suggest a sense of communion with Christ that extends to prayer.
Quote 2:
“Pray continually for all the saints, for the love of Jesus Christ will not allow you to live a selfish life.”
(Letter to the Ephesians 10)
This indicates an early understanding of the believer's relationship with Christ and the importance of prayer in that relationship.
2. Tertullian (c. 155–220 AD)
Tertullian frequently emphasized the divinity of Jesus and the need for Christians to honor Him as divine. His writings point to a belief in praying to Jesus as part of Christian worship.
Quote:
“We pray to Him as our God, for He is both God and man, the only true mediator between God and man.”
(Against Praxeas 25)
This is one of the clearest early references to praying directly to Jesus, recognizing Him as both God and man. It establishes the foundation for later prayers to Christ, particularly in the context of mediation between humanity and the Father.
3. Origen (c. 185–254 AD)
Origen’s writings affirm the divinity of Christ and often show how early Christians could pray to Jesus as part of their devotion to the Trinity. Though not a liturgical prayer in the modern sense, Origen’s reflections indicate the importance of Christ in Christian worship and prayer.
Quote:
“For the prayer of a Christian is no other than to call on the name of Jesus Christ, through whom we receive forgiveness of sins, the remission of the past, and a promise of eternal life.”
(On Prayer 27)
Origen affirms that prayer to Jesus is a central part of the Christian life. Jesus is the means by which Christians access divine forgiveness and eternal life, making Him the object of their prayer.
4. Cyprian of Carthage (c. 200–258 AD)
Cyprian, a key early Christian writer, saw the importance of prayer to Christ, especially when addressing the issues of salvation and divine mediation.
Quote:
“The Lord’s prayer itself, though He was God, was taught by Christ to us, that we might know how to pray. But to ask God for things is to ask Christ, for Christ is God.”
(Treatise 3, On the Lord’s Prayer 11)
Here, Cyprian emphasizes that praying to God through Christ is central to Christian worship. While he uses the Lord's Prayer as the model, he affirms Christ’s divine role in prayer and mediation.
5. Augustine of Hippo (354–430 AD)
Augustine’s writings are foundational for understanding the Christian life and prayer. Augustine does not shy away from recognizing the role of Jesus in the believer’s prayer life, acknowledging Christ as both the intercessor and recipient of prayer.
Quote 1:
“When we pray, we are praying through Christ, in Christ, and to Christ.”
(On the Trinity 1.2.5)
This quote directly expresses the early Christian understanding that prayer is not only directed to God the Father but also to Jesus, who is the mediator between God and humanity.
Quote 2:
“Let us pray to Christ as our mediator, for we cannot go to the Father except through Him.”
(Expositions of the Psalms 120)
Augustine affirms the practice of praying to Jesus as the mediator of the new covenant, which becomes a standard teaching in Christian doctrine.
6. The Apostolic Tradition of Hippolytus (c. 215 AD)
In this text, the Apostolic Tradition reflects some of the earliest forms of Christian worship, including the prayer of the faithful. It offers prayers and blessings that are directed to God the Father, but Jesus is invoked as part of the worship, signifying His centrality.
Quote:
“Let us offer prayer to God the Father, through Jesus Christ, who is our Savior and King.”
(Apostolic Tradition 8.3)
Though this specific passage does not explicitly show a direct prayer to Jesus, it reflects the understanding that all prayers are made through and in the name of Jesus, highlighting His vital role.
7. The Didascalia Apostolorum (c. 200 AD)
The Didascalia, a Christian manual for church conduct, suggests invoking Christ’s name in prayer as part of daily Christian life and worship.
Quote:
“Pray to God through the Lord Jesus Christ, for through Him you have obtained grace and peace, and through Him you are made partakers of the divine nature.”
(Didascalia Apostolorum 3.14)
This passage shows the early Christian understanding of praying through Jesus and invoking His name as part of their daily prayers.
Summary
The early church fathers did not always pray directly to Jesus in the formal way that later liturgies might, but their writings frequently reflect the practice of invoking His name in prayer, acknowledging His divinity, and emphasizing His central role in salvation.
They made clear that prayer to Jesus was natural in the context of His divine mediation and relationship with the Father, something that was essential to the Christian faith even in the early church.
J.