It's clear to me that Jesus has a specific role in our salvation. But just like a person that saves you from a car accident, although that person saved you, you won't start praying to that person.
John 17:3 says: This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ.
Since we need to know both the father and the son, that means just knowing about Jehovah alone won't give us salvation. They work as a pair, and we can't ignore Jesus.
Just like Jesus said in the next verse, John 17:4: I have glorified you on the earth, having finished the work you have given me to do. So now you, Father, glorify me alongside yourself with the glory that I had alongside you before the world was.
Jesus wants to be glorified by his father. That seems to be his only desire, not to be adored nor prayed to.
