Why Should I Pray?

The Bible tells believers to pray without ceasing (I Thess. 5:17). But many people struggle with understanding the purpose of prayer. Why should we pray? Does it really change God’s mind or plans?

We should pray because God asks us to pray. Think about the wonder of that statement. The God who created time and space invites us to pour out our hearts before Him. He invites us to share our burdens and longings with Him.

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (I Peter 5:7, NIV)

“Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.” (Psalm 55:22, NIV)

We should pray because God listens to our prayers. God has promised to hear us when we pray to Him. He is never too busy to hear His children.

"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us" (I John 5:14, NIV)

"The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles" (Psalm 34:17, NIV)

"Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice" (Psalm 55:17, NIV)

We should pray as a way of worshipping God. Have you ever thought of prayer as a form of worship? It is. For when we pray, we acknowledge the greatness of God and His worthiness and power, which is the essence of worship. In fact, the Greek word for worship is proskuneo, which means to prostrate or bow down, the posture we often take in prayer.

"I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High. (Psalm 9:1-2, NIV) Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker" (Psalm 95:6, NIV)

We should pray to seek God’s guidance. We live in a confusing world, and there are many voices competing for our attention. Often, it is hard to know which way to go and what path to follow. As we pray to God, we can find His guidance for our lives.

"Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long" (Psalm 25:5, NIV).

"For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end (Psalm 48:14, NIV)."

"I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them (Isaiah 42:16, NIV)."

We should pray because God will answer. God does not always answer prayer exactly the way we want Him to. Sometimes He may say no; sometimes He may ask us to wait. But He does answer every prayer of his children.

"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know" (Jeremiah 33:3, NIV).

"I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer" (Psalm 17:6, NIV).

"On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many" (2 Corinthians 1:10b-11, NIV).

These are all very good reasons to pray. Of course, some of us may be motivated to pray but not know how. We may not be asking why we should pray, but, "How Should I Pray?"

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