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Praying might seem like a spiritual and holy thing to do. Maybe the word makes you think of a person kneeling in silence. But beyond appearances, why is prayer important? If God knows everything, why would someone desire to pray every day?
Prayer has purpose; it’s talking to God.
God wants to hear from you because he loves you, and Scripture gives his invitation in multiple places. Christians pray to draw close to God, to experience his peace and to depend on him for every need.
Starting at the beginning of the world, God wanted to have a relationship with the first humans. God called out to Adam and Eve after they had sinned in the Garden of Eden. In Genesis 3, God sought them out and had a conversation with them.
“When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God among the trees. Then the Lord God called to the man, ‘Where are you?’” (Genesis 3:8-9, New Living Translation).
God knew where Adam and Eve were. Yet, he pursued them because he cared for them. The conversation between God and Adam and Eve carried on, and Adam and Eve discovered the consequences of sin, but also the promise of a solution. Jesus will defeat the devil, which is what Genesis 3:15 refers to when God says, “He (Jesus) will strike your (Satan’s) head.”
As the story of the Bible continues, Jesus, the Savior, comes into the world and maintains a perfect relationship with God the Father and the Holy Spirit. Jesus sets the example of constant, intentional union with the Father, as shown in Luke 5:16: “But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer” (NLT). He knew the value of resting and making time to connect with his Father. Christians pray because Jesus prayed, and he is the perfect model for how to live.
It’s possible to go about your day in communication with God, as Jesus did during his time on Earth. This relational connection is a gift that followers of Jesus enjoy.
“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NLT).
Prayer is more for your benefit than God’s. Prayer will prompt you to recenter on God’s character and grow in your dependence on him. Even though God knows what is on your mind, He welcomes you to turn to him. When you pray, you’re reminded that God is your provider for your physical, emotional and spiritual needs, as well as others’ needs.
“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking” (James 1:5, NLT).
God’s intention is for you to continually seek him in prayer.
“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened” (Matthew 7:7-8, NLT).
God doesn’t want you to give up, even when you’re waiting on him for something. In the waiting, God develops you into more of the person he created you to be. He can give you a deeper faith in the process.
Prayer is also essential for peace when life is difficult and when you’re in need. Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” (NLT).
You can hold on to this promise and tell Jesus about all of your troubles. God desires for you to give him your burdens instead of trying to manage life on your own.
“Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you” (1 Peter 5:7, NLT).
Through prayer, you have an opportunity to trust God with your life and the lives of others. Praying for people is an act of compassion because you’re asking for help on their behalf. People can experience comforting support when you pray for them.
Prayer includes asking God for your needs, as well as praising him for his goodness and confessing sin. When you praise him and repent, you can experience the Holy Spirit giving you words to pray and reminding you of his love. This helps you recall who God is and who you are. God assures you that you belong to him.
“Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy. Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture” (Psalm 100:2-3, NLT).
Another purpose of prayer is to battle against the devil and his lies. Ephesians 6 explains how a Christian can stand firm when Satan attacks. As you read the chapter, you’ll reach a verse that shows the importance of prayer.
“Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere” (Ephesians 6:18, NLT).
Prayer turns your mind to God and his power. You can ask God for protection when you’re feeling attacked. He hears your prayers of need.
When you fight against Satan’s attacks and temptation, God gives you strength to continue following his ways. He is strong when you are weak. In Matthew 26:41, Jesus told his disciples how they can keep from sinning:
“Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!” (NLT).
Jesus also teaches his disciples how to pray, asking for God’s will to be done and for their daily needs. At the end of the prayer, Jesus said, “And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one” (Matthew 6:13, NLT).
God provides ways out of temptation, and you can ask him for his help. Christians can’t defeat sin in their own power. You need the Holy Spirit and God’s enabling when you ask. You can also thank him for his guidance.
“Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart” (Colossians 4:2, NLT).
Another encouraging verse, Romans 12:12, says, “Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.” It’s not only obedient to pray as the Bible teaches, but prayer connects you with God, brings peace and helps you in times of need.
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