Why Pray?

Sometimes a Christian may wonder, Why Pray? This reveals more about his spiritual condition than any uncertainty of biblical doctrine on prayer.

Yet it’s good for Christians to understand why prayer is commanded by God.

Prayer sustains our spiritual health by securing God’s presence and grace for our lives, just as breathing brings life-sustaining oxygen to our physical bodies.

As Moses explained in Deuteronomy 4:7, God draws near with blessing and power when His people pray.  Faced with the daunting task of overcoming more powerful enemy forces, Israel had to pray.  Only the Lord’s help could avert defeat and His assistance was contingent upon sincere, faith-filled prayer.  This principle was basic for the Hebrew nation.  The high moments in Israel’s history were typically related to God’s response to their prayers.  Likewise, the nation’s decline was connected to their refusal to seek His direction.

A careful reading of 2,000 years of religious history reveals identical patterns for the church.  Prayer precedes revival and expansion, while the lack of prayer hinders the kingdom of God on earth.

On a personal level, Christians who spend time with God in prayer are often blessed with spiritual vigor and effectiveness in service.  Prayerless believers – and congregations – rarely see lives transformed.  It is God’s presence and power that make Christianity vital, and that depends on this New Testament command: “Come near to God and He will come near to you” (James 4:8).

We need Him

The first great challenge in establishing a life of prayer is to feel our need for God. Without the inward conviction that we must have the Lord’s help on a daily basis, we’ll rarely pray.  Although mercy and grace are freely offered at His throne (Hebrews 4:16), it is only the hungry and thirsty who take advantage of God’s provision.

We need to see our condition apart from God’s grace and power.  As we sense our need of God’s Spirit, we will be inspired to draw near to the Lord.

Security through prayer

We must also remember that it’s “prayer offered in faith” (James 5:15) that brings answers from God.  Too many see prayer as a kind of divine lottery, where people might hit the winning number if they are lucky.

This is not the way our loving Father would have us approach Him with our needs.  God has promised to answer our petitions.  If we take the time to read and digest His promises and commands, they will produce strong faith for powerful, breakthrough prayer.

Polls taken among believers reveal an overall decline in church growth and spiritual life.  Statistics concerning divorce among Christians and the lack of godliness in personal lifestyles are disheartening.  It’s pride, self-satisfaction and spiritual blindness that make us wonder whether time spent in prayer is really worthwhile.

Who else can change the spiritual landscape but God? And how will the Lord visit us unless we pray with confidence that, “he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Hebrews 11:6)?

Let us follow the example of Christ and His disciples. Let us pray.

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