Most times as Christians we want to know effective methods of praying so God can hear and answer us. But when we understand why we pray and the importance of prayer, we can do it in a way that pleases God.
Prayer is how we communicate with God as Christians. Growing a relationship with God requires us to constantly connect with him. Communication happens in good and bad times.
One misconception we make about why we pray is that it’s about giving God a list of requests. Prayer is way deeper than that. It’s one of the spiritual disciplines that helps us grow spiritually.
God rewards and blesses us when we pray. We need to be intentional about carving out the time and space to pray to the all-powerful God because he is waiting to hear and answer us.
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Why Do We Pray?
It’s an honor and privilege that we have as believers to be able to talk to the Creator of the heavens and earth. God is very personal with us and cares about the details of every area of our lives.
Because he cares and loves us deeply he wants us to be honest with him about everything we are going through. We can only do that in prayer.
The heroes of faith we adore and read about in the Bible constantly prayed to God and this changed the course of their lives and the course of history.
The same God who was faithful to answer prayers then is the one we serve and worship today.
Now get cozy, grab your favorite drink and a notebook, and pen to take notes. Here are the 10 reasons why we pray as Christians.
New to prayer and not sure how to get started? The truth is that prayer is just a conversation between you and God. But here are some creative, yet powerful prayer methods to help you get started.
We Pray Because Jesus Prayed
As Jesus’s disciples, we are called to follow his ways and his examples. Jesus himself prayed to God when he performed miracles, when he was baptized and to connect with God.
One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. Luke 6:12 NIV
He prayed alone and he prayed in front of the crowd as well. Jesus taught his disciples how to pray as well. He demonstrated the importance and power of praying to God.
But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Luke 5:16 NIV
When we pray, we grow and become more like Jesus Christ. Ultimately being Christ-like is what we should aim for as believers.
We Pray Because We Love God
Loving God deeply is the first and greatest commandment Jesus gave us. We are to love God with everything we have.
As we pray and spend time in God’s presence it draws our hearts to him and we desire to do all we can to please him.
And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. Matthew 22:37-38 ESV
We show that we love him by obeying his word. One of those commandments is for us to pray at all times.
For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. 1 John 5:3 ESV
The Bible says God’s commandments are not burdensome. That’s because we have the Holy Spirit to remind us of God’s word and obey.
We Pray Because Prayer Connects Us to God
When we pray we deeply connect with our Heavenly Father. He draws near to us when we pray to Him. He comforts us, helps us, guides us, and gives us direction.
One of the most effective ways to pray is to pray scriptures. God honors his word above his name. When we declare his word, he acts according to it. As we pray according to scripture, the Bible comes alive and that builds a strong connection to the Lord.
The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. Psalm 145:18 ESV
As we connect with God we realize that prayer is a two-way street. God communicates back to us in prayer. We just need to allow him to speak and be willing to listen.
We Pray Because Prayer Grows Our Faith
Faith is the key foundation of Christianity. We believe in God whom we haven’t seen with our physical eyes.
Talking to the Lord who we believe exists grows our faith. Waiting for him to answer shows we trust in Him and his power.
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6 NIV
Unless we grow our faith, we won’t be able to please God and give him glory.
Prayer draws us close to God and we hold onto his promises believing that he hears. It may seem foolish to those who are not Christians but God rewards us when we pray in faith to him.
We Pray Because God Calls Us to Pray
The reason why we pray is that this is one spiritual discipline God wants us to practice daily. You probably talk to your mom, spouse, or a close friend daily because you love them and want to communicate with them.
Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. Romans 12:12 NLT
Similarly, prayer keeps our relationship with God close and intimate. Prayer is as necessary as the air we breathe.
pray without ceasing, 1 Thessalonians 5:17 ESV
These Bible verses about prayer encourage us to never stop talking to God. The best time is pray is anytime.
Not only at night, not only in the morning, and not only when we’re in trouble.
We are called to pray anytime and any day.
Prayer Keeps Us Humble
We may think we know it all andthat we can figure out the answers to our challenges. But when we pray, we humble ourselves before God and admit that we haven’t got everything figured out.
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. 2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV
We pray because we recognize that only God is sovereign. He is the one who is in control, all-powerful and all-knowing.
When we humble ourselves in prayer, God blesses us. He is moved to answer our prayers because we’d have honored him.
Prayer Gives Us the Strength to Overcome Temptation
Christian living comes with tests and temptations. Even Jesus was tempted when he was on earth. One of the ways he used to resist temptation was to quote scripture and we can also do the same.
Another way to overcome temptation is to pray. Jesus told his disciples to pray so they wouldn’t be tempted by the things of this world.
“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41 NIV
Prayer keeps our focus on God and his word so that we don’t make the wrong choice. When temptation comes knocking at our doorsteps, prayer reminds us of the right path to take.
We Pray Because it Helps Us Overcome Anxiety
We live in a broken world where we hear bad news on social media and news channels. There are ravaging pandemics, wars, and violence everywhere we turn. It’s no wonder we are anxious all the time.
It’s only through prayer that we can learn to rely on a power beyond our own. We pray so we can be at peace even in the midst of life’s constant storms and troubles.
do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 ESV
God wants us to come to him in prayer when we are scared and don’t know where to turn. Praying throught our anxiety let’s God know that we fully trust in Him to carry us through it.
Through prayer and thanksgiving, we will experience supernatural peace from the Prince of Peace himself.
We Pray So We Can Get God’s Help
Imagine if your child only came to you when they were in trouble. There would be no time to just laugh, connect, go out, have fun, or anything. Only when they were hurt, they’d want you there. It would break my mama heart.
We want to connect with our kids through the good and bad times. We want to experience life with them and steer them in the right direction.
When the righteous cry [for help], the Lord hears And rescues them from all their distress and troubles. Psalm 34:17 AMP
But many times, we only come to God when we are struggling and we need His help. While God still answers, he also wants us to pray even when we’re going through good times because he is our Heavenly Father and he wants to be close to his children.
We Pray Because We Want to Align With God’s Will
God’s will is perfect. But as his children, we can be selfish and want our own way in a situation. Even Jesus prayed for God’s will to be done as he was about to be crucified on the cross.
And after going a little farther, He fell face down and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible [that is, consistent with Your will], let this cup [a]pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.” Matthew 26: 39 AMP
There are times we need to make important decisions and we are confused because both paths seem good. When we pray, the Lord reveals what’s the right path to take. He gives us clarity and direction.
You ask [God for something] and do not receive it, because you ask [a]with wrong motives [out of selfishness or with an unrighteous agenda], so that [when you get what you want] you may spend it on your [hedonistic] desires. James 4:3 AMP
This is not always easy because even if God tells us his will we may not want to obey if it’s not in line with ours. Prayer keeps us humble and helps us obey even when we don’t feel like it.
Are you looking for some tools and tips to boost your prayer life? If so, be sure to visit our Prayer Resources Library where you’ll find everything you need to become a powerful prayer warrior!
Why Do We Pray?
Because we love God and want to build a relationship with him by staying connected to him. God commands us to pray throughout the Bible because he wants to draw near to us and talk to us too.
Jesus the son of God himself prayed several times in the Bible. He prayed alone, with his disciples, and when he was with the crowd. We pray because Jesus himself is our perfect example of how to live in a way that honors and glories God.
Prayer is not just bringing a list of our requests to God. As our Heavenly Father, he will always be there to help and guide us. But he wants to be close to us which happens when we pray.
When we pray our faith in God grows and we can overcome the many temptations we encounter. Prayer gives us strength when we are weak.
God can hear us and answer our prayers. He only asks that we trust him and wait on him. He will never disappoint those who do so.
