Articles
WHY SHOULD WE PRAY?
Have you ever considered the question, WHY SHOULD WE PRAY? Sometimes we may think prayer is only needed when we are under great stress, or in an emergency situation. Or maybe when nothing else seems to be working. But when we examine the divine Scriptures we find prayer is made by many of God's people on many occasions and very often. So, what are some good reasons for us to pray.?
BECAUSE GOD WANTS MY PRAYERS...He doesn't need my prayers, but He wants them. God has always communicated with His people. Our part of that communication is our PRAYERS. When we look back to early history of the Bible, we find He always desired that means of communication. In the time of the kings of Israel, note the prayer of King Solomon:
"Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the assembly of Israel and spread out his hands toward heaven. And he said , "O Lord, the God of Israel, there is no God like thee in heaven above or on the earth beneath, who art keeping covenant and showing loving-kindness to Thy servants who walk before Thee WITH ALL THEIR HEART." (1 Kings 8:22,23)
BECAUSE GOD LISTENS...He not only wants us to pray, but He listens to our prayers. "And this is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, HE HEARS US." (1 John 5:14) Also Elijah in James 5:17.
BECAUSE GOD PROMISED TO GIVE US WISDOM WHEN WE ASK...."But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and IT WILL BE GIVEN HIM." "But let him ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. " (James 1:5,6)
BECAUSE OF JESUS' EXAMPLE OF PRAYER...."These things Jesus spoke, and lifting up His eyes to heaven, He said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify Thy Son, that the Son may glorify Thee, even as Thou gavest Him authority over all mankind, that to all whom Thou hast given Him, He may give eternal life. " (John 17:1,2)
BECAUSE OF MY LOVE FOR THE FATHER IN HEAVEN... "Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight." (1 John 3:21,22) (Matthew 6:9)
You may think of other reasons for prayer. Many other examples are given in the Scriptures. However, the ones just mentioned emphasizes the need and importance of our prayers to the Father.
Jesus prayed often, in many situations, When He selected the Apostles, when He went to the Garden in preparation for his trials and death, and on many other occasions. So did the Apostles. So did the early Christians, just as we can do today. By looking to the examples of the Scriptures, we should more fully understand the importance and value of prayer.
"The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much." (James 5:16f) We can all improve our prayer life. How about you?
Ross