Why Should We Pray
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Why Should we pray:
The most basic definition of prayer is “talking to God.” Prayer is not meditation or passive reflection; it is direct address to God. It is the communication of the human soul with the Lord who created the soul. Prayer is the primary way for the believer in Jesus Christ to communicate his emotions and desires with God and to fellowship with God.
Prayer can be audible or silent, private or public, formal or informal.
1. God’s Word Calls Us to Pray
God’s Word Calls Us to Pray
One key reason to pray is because God has commanded us to pray. If we are to be obedient to His will, then prayer must be part of our life in Him:
Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
pray without ceasing,
pray without ceasing,
1 Thess
Ceasing: continuously, constantly, unceasingly
continuously, constantly, unceasingly
But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
1 Thessolonians
1 Thessolonians 5:17
1 Thessolonians
if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
“Pray for those who persecute you” - (NIV) [1] “And when you pray …” - “This, then, is how you should pray …” - “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” - “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” - “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” - “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” - “Pray continually” - “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone …” -
The Pleasing Aroma of Prayer
And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne, and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel. Then the angel took the censer and filled it with fire from the altar and threw it on the earth, and there were peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake.
Reve
First, they are censers, and our prayers are like incense in the presence of God, and that incense is really pleasing to him.
And I said that in the book of Revelation, prayer is being gathered into bowls (; ), and those bowls have two functions. First, they are censers, and our prayers are like incense in the presence of God, and that incense is really pleasing to him. God loves the aroma of the prayers of his people, which means that if you are on your face crying out for a lost loved one or for some difficulty in your church, that very act is pleasing to God. It is not wasted.
God loves the aroma of the prayers of his people.
Prayer is How We Communicate with God
Prayer allows us to worship and praise the Lord. It also allows us to offer confession of our sins, which should lead to our genuine repentance.
Moreover, prayer grants us the opportunity to present our requests to God.
All of these aspects of prayer involve communication with our Creator. He is personal, cares for us, and wants to commune with us through prayer.
Prayer Gives us Power Over Evil
” … if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” - Isaiah wrote, “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (). reads, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Can physical strength help us overcome obstacles and challenges in the spiritual realm? No, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (). But in prayer even the physically weak can become strong in the spiritual realm. As such, we can call upon God to grant us power over evil.
“For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”
for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.
Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Prayer Keeps us Humble Before God
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
- “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” – ”
When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
but with the humble is wisdom.
Prayer Keeps us Humble Before God
James
with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,
Humility is a virtue God desires in us (; ; ; ; ). Prayer reminds us that we are not in control, but God is, thus keeping us from pride.
“Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” -
continuously, constantly, unceasingly
Prayer is God’s will
The need to pray is as great as the authority of God, who commands us to “pray without ceasing” (, NKJV). Prayer is so vital to all that God wants to do on the earth, and it is so essential to us, that He commands us to do it all the time. We should even deny ourselves sleep and food at times to pray more and with greater power (see ; ; ; ; ).
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.