Previously, we briefly discussed what is prayer? We defined the Hebrew term
“Abba” (Daddy, Papa). In addition, we included several tips to help us understand what prayer
is. We underscored the importance of prayer which helps us develop an intimate relationship
with our Savior, Jesus the Christ who also prayed. Although we outlined the importance of
prayer, we certainly have not and can not include all the aspects of prayer. Therefore, we will
continue this series with monthly blogs to assist us with developing a consistent and faithful
prayer life.
This Blog will focus on the question, “why pray? We will attempt to answer the question
with a brief Christian explanation. When we pray, we sometimes give GOD a grocery list,
“gimme, gimme, gimme! This is like “shop til you drop” way of praying. That is not the prime or
important reason for Christians to pray. First the ultimate purpose and reason is that our Savior
prayed all the time. The Bible says “He would often withdraw to the wilderness and pray, He
prayed alone, in public, after healing and He taught His disciples to pray just to name a few
(Luke 5:16; Matthew 14:23; Matthew 6:9‐13; John 11:41‐42). The Gospels are replete with our
Savior prayers and praying. Secondly, GOD commands us to pray, 1 Thessalonians 5:17, Paul tell
the Thessalonians to “Pray without ceasing” (KJV).
Here are five reasons to pray (not an ALL inclusive list).
1. Prayer builds our Love relationship with our Savior, Jesus Christ. Prayer is the key
vehicle to building our love‐grace relationship with Jesus. Christianity is not a life of
rules. It is a relationship with Christ. Certainly as Christians Jesus gives us standards
to follow, but we don’t become Christians because we receive standards. We
become Christians because we receive Christ, who loves us, died for us, and live in
us daily.
2. Prayer helps us over come temptation. Prayer is an important instrument in our
overcoming sin and temptation. It keeps our focus more on Jesus and less on the
world and the things of the world.
3. Prayer helps us determine GOD’s will for our lives. This is a crucial area for the
Christian. Prayer helps us to get our wills unbiased. Once we commit our will (not
emotions) to GOD, He will reveal to us other alternatives which will serve us and the
community of faith believers better. Every good gift and perfect gift is from above
(James 1:17 KJV).
4. Prayer accomplishes GOD’s work. Jesus says in John 14:12, “Verily, Verily, I say unto
you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works
than these shall do; because I go unto my Father. The disciples prayer (Matthew 6:9‐
13) also includes GOD’s will be don right here on earth.
5. Prayer is a weapon of spiritual warfare. Prayer is major weapon in fighting the
spiritual battle. Ephesians 6:10‐20, outlines the armaments in the arsenal of GOD.
We are reminded that our struggles are not against humans, but against powerful
spiritual forces. This is a war for souls and for the kingdom of GOD.