Our Relationship with God needs Prayer

Relationships need communication

God wants a relationship with us

God communicates with us:

His Word became flesh, Jesus is the Word of God incarnate.

His written Word.

His proclaimed Word.

Through the Sacraments

Through our fellow Christians.

How do we communicate with him:

Praise - song, words, music

Art

Prayer

Philippians 4:6–7 (NIV2011)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Peace of God

in Christ Jesus

James 5:13–16 (NIV2011)

Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

Notice that prayer is both when “in trouble” and when “happy”.

God knows everything - so why pray?

Christian Life is not passive.

Our Lord Jesus prayed. And he taught us how to pray. So we should pray.