Why Pray?

I don't remember who taught me to pray. My first prayer was probably at the dinner table because we all had to take turns blessing our food each night. My dad would tell us to "remember to say your prayers". Every night before bed, every post card he sent us on each of his hunting trips, and whenever he left on a trip, he reminded us to pray. Praying was seared into my brain. And maybe you hear this voice beckoning you to pray. But why?

First, prayer provides conversation and opens up the door for a relationship with God. He wants us to talk to Him! Sometimes this is hard to believe that the maker of heaven and earth would want to talk with us. But it is precisely why He created us. In Genesis 3:8 after the creation of man, God walked in the garden to spend time with Adam and Eve. "For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible,...everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him." Colossians 1:16 Msg.

Secondly, prayer provides an invitation to God to intervene in our lives. God gave the responsibility for governing Earth's affairs to us (Genesis 1:26,28) We pray because we need His help. We need help making important decisions. So why not ask a God who is all-knowing (omniscient), all-powerful (omnipotent), and always present (omnipresent). I've often heard it said God is a gentleman. He is only where you ask Him to be. He will never force himself upon us, but is waiting for us to ask.

Thirdly, prayer provides a channel for God's power and the key to unlock this power in our lives. When we pray we are opening an avenue to the release of His power. The Holy Spirit brings the power of God into our lives and enables us to be the conduit of it. Psalm 68:35 reads "it is you O Lord, who gives strength and power to Your people".

When we work, we work; when we pray, God works. Giving everything to God takes the burden off of us and gives it to God. The Bible says, "His yoke is easy and His burden is light" (Matthew 11:30). Our prayer life will reflect what we believe about God. If we truly believe He can move supernaturally, we will approach Him in faith. We will be looking at the Mountain Mover, not the mountain!

Blessings,
Lisa