15 Reasons Why We Pray
I’ve been on the receiving end of so many answered prayers. I cannot even begin to count the prayers that God has answered, both big and small. From… Eric getting out of a military assignment that would have taken him away for over 12 months soon after we were married, to having a happy, healthy baby after a miscarriage, to financial provision right when we needed it, to something as simple as finding lost car keys… God has proven faithful time and time again. My only complaints would be that God’s answers to my prayers didn’t always come in MY timing 🙂, and sometimes His answer was not the answer I wanted or expected (at the time). Over the years and after a lot of practice praying, I’ve discovered the importance of prayer and the many reasons why we pray.
I am a firm believer in the power of prayer. So, I thought I’d share some of the reasons why we pray and the importance of prayer. Then, in other posts we’ll discuss some of the logistics of prayer…when to pray, where to pray, what and how to pray, and even some of the hindrances to prayer.
We need to make prayer a regular part of our daily lives. There are many reasons why we pray and why we should speak to God. In order for any relationship to thrive, there MUST be communication. Our relationship with God is no different. It is imperative that we communicate with God on a daily basis. I’ve come up with 15 reasons why we pray. Obviously, I’m sure there are so many more, but here are some excellent reasons to get us started 😉 …
15 Reasons Why We Pray:
1. Prayer demonstrates our reliance on God
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- When we go to Him to talk to Him, seek His guidance and direction, and ask Him for help, we are showing that we need Him and that we recognize that we cannot do this life alone. We need to talk to God to connect with Him.
2. Because we are instructed to do so in several places throughout the Bible (I’ve listed only a few scriptures below)
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- Luke 18:1-Jesus told a parable to the effect that we should always pray and not lose heart and give up.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:17 “Pray without ceasing”
- Romans 12:12 “…Be constant in prayer”
- Colossians 4:2-3-Instructions to continue in steadfast prayer, to give thanks, and to pray for others.
- Philippians 4:6-Instructions to not worry about anything but go to God in prayer and make our requests of Him.
- James 5:13-16-Pray when you’re suffering, praise when you’re joyful, and pray for healing when you’re sick. Pray for each other.
- Hebrews 4:16-Instructions to go boldly before the throne of God and we’ll receive mercy and grace to help us when we need it most.
3. Because prayer is powerful, and it works
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- James 5:13-18-Scriptures says that the earnest, heartfelt and continued prayer of the righteous person is powerful and effective and produces results. An example is given of Elijah when he prayed for no rain and it did not rain for 3 ½ years; then he prayed again and it rained.
4. Because Jesus prayed often and we should follow his example
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- Hebrews 5:7 (NLT) “While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could rescue him from death. And God heard his prayers because of his deep reverence for God.”
5. To ask and make requests
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- James 4:2 “…you do not have because you do not ask.”
6. To give thanks
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- 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18-It’s God’s will for us to be in constant prayer and to give thanks in everything and in every situation (NOTE: Giving thanks “IN” everything is NOT giving thanks “FOR” everything)
- Philippians 4:6-Instructions to pray with thanksgiving.
7. To get wisdom, guidance, and solutions
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- James 1:5-If you lack wisdom, ask God and He’ll give it to you.
8. To confess sins and ask forgiveness
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- 1 John 1:9 (ESV) “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
- Proverbs 28:13 (ESV) “Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper,
but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.”
9. To pray for others
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- There are many examples and commandments throughout scripture of praying for others.
- Jesus did this on the cross (Luke 23:34 “And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”)
- 1 Timothy 2:1-4-Instructions to pray for leaders and those in authority.
- Colossians 1:1-14-Paul and Timothy pray for others.
10. To send laborers (pray for God to send people to those who don’t have a relationship with God)
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- Luke 10:2 “And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
11. To avoid temptation
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- Matthew 26:41 (NLT) “Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!”
- Matthew 6:13 “…lead us not into temptation”
12. To ask for help or comfort
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- David did this throughout much of the Psalms
13. To cry out to God, to tell Him how we feel, to “vent” to God
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- David did this throughout much of the Psalms
- Jesus did this on the cross (Mark 15:34 (ESV) “And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”)
14. To gain power, strength, and ability to carry out God’s work
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- Mark 9:28-29–The disciples couldn’t cast out a demon because they had not spent enough time in prayer.
15. Because God wants to give us what we desire, but we need to ask
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- Psalm 37:4 (NKJV) “Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.”
- Mark 11:24 (KJV) “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you desire when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.”
- Psalm 20:4 (NKJV)“May He grant you according to your heart’s desire, and fulfill all your purpose.”
- Psalm 145:18-19 (NKJV) “The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him….”
Take Some Practical Steps to Discover Why We Pray:
- Decide why prayer IS important and imperative for you. How has God answered prayers in your life? Why do you pray? Write these things down—journal them.
- Do a study of the Psalms. Click here for a reading plan to read through the book of Psalms in 31 days. Write down/journal the kinds of things David prayed about throughout the Psalms.
- Read Daniel 9 (Daniel’s prayer for his people). Why was Daniel praying? Write down/journal the kinds of things Daniel prayed about.
- Read John 17. Write down/journal the kinds of things Jesus prayed about.
Why do you pray? How has God answered prayers in your life? Tell us about it by leaving a comment below.
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*Updated: Originally posted 7/7/2015
