Viewed in this way nearly every conversation with Jesus in the Gospels that is not adversarial may be looked upon as a type of prayer. Those conversations help us toward a biblical way of praying. After Adam and Eve sinned God walked in the garden seeking conversation and restoration. They hid, but God found them. God’s Son appeared to remove the shame that makes us want to hide from God and shun prayer. In John’s Gospel we see the Lord (through his new disciples) finding Nathaniel. In that encounter Nathaniel is converted with breathtaking speed, and after a  brief exchange he declares, “Rabbi you are the Son of God. You are the King of Israel.”
If we regard John the Baptist’s words as part of a sermon, then Nathaniel’s declaration is the first personal confession of faith in the fourth Gospel. What Nathaniel said was a form of praise, which drew the Lord’s compliment; Jesus called him an “Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” Nathaniel then called Jesus the “King of Israel.” What Nathaniel was saying was, “You are my king.”

There is a kind of symmetry at the beginning and end of the Gospels; namely, we see  something at the beginning of the story that is repeated at the end, though in an altered or converse form. John’s Gospel begins with two disciples (Andrew and an unnamed disciple, probably John) following Jesus home. Luke’s Gospel ends with Jesus following two disciples (Cleopas and his unnamed companion, possibly his wife) home on the road to Emmaus. John’s Gospel begins with Nathaniel expressing faith and ends with Thomas expressing doubt. Thomas, who’d seen nearly everything, believes almost nothing; Nathaniel who’d seen almost nothing, believes nearly everything. Thomas’ doubt led to a conversation with Jesus; Nathaniel’s faith came from a conversation with Jesus.

“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (Rom 10:17).

So much of what we believe is birthed by hearing Jesus’ own words. And that faith leads us to speak words back to Jesus.

After Nathaniel’s great confession Jesus says, “Because I said to you that I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” His words to Nathaniel articulate a kind of motto for disciples. Note especially the verbs: “I said . . . you believe . . . you will see.” The order in the progression is vital. Jesus says it, I believe it and I will see it.

But the world commits itself to an opposite and opposing order. The one without faith insists: “If I see what you say, then I will believe.” It is not so with Christ-followers. To them Jesus’ bare words are enough. On Jesus’ words we take a stand, and neither death nor the devil himself can move us. For us Jesus’ words are better than seeing, just as faith is a better sight; our sight may be distorted, but His words are incorruptible.

In Genesis God spoke, and the world appeared. In John’s Gospel the Word appeared and spoke to the world. When Jesus speaks we find faith and long to answer.

That answer is prayer.