I’d argue that we pray “in the Holy Spirit” but not to the Holy Spirit. Prayer in the Spirit means to pray along the same lines or about the same things, or by “means of” the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 5:18 says we are to be “filled with the Holy Spirit.” Therefore our prayers are in complete reliance on the Holy Spirit. Our prayers are to be addressed to God the Father in the Name of Jesus the Son, in accordance with the Holy Spirit. We are often deeply immersed in Spiritual warfare and find ourselves often under attack spiritually. Paul instructs us about our spiritual armor in Ephesians Chapter 6 and then instructs us further regarding prayer. He says in verse 18, “with all prayer and supplication praying at all seasons in the Spirit.” Jude 20 adds the idea that prayer in the Spirit is that which builds us up in our faith. It says, “But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit.”
There is no recorded prayer in the Bible that is addressed specifically to the Holy Spirit, and Jesus always prayed to God the Father. He also taught the disciples to do that when he said that they should pray in this way, “Our Father who art in heaven…” Galatians 4:6 also teaches that: God sent forth the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, “crying, Abba, Father.” It seems best to me for us to pray to the Father in Jesus Name depending on the Spirit to help us. However, there may be times when we might appeal directly to Christ like Stephen did. Acts 7:59 says, “And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’”
But to be honest, not all evangelical believers agree with me. The Emmaus Journal had an article by Larry Dixon on “The Shy Member of the Trinity.” In it he says, “If the Holy Spirit is God, then worshiping Him and praying to Him seem justified. Some Christians object to praying to the Spirit because we have no explicit text of anyone praying to the Spirit. …I personally believe that the more we understand about the ministries of the Spirit, the more opportunity we have to ask Him to convict of sin, illumine our minds as we study Scripture, remind us of our sonship, etc.” He may be right!
Chuck
“…but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:6