Why pray?
Why does a drowning man grasp at a straw? It’s a last desperate attempt to survive. So why do people pray to God when they are facing difficult times or when their lives are in danger. Well the situation seems obvious. Surely it’s the same thing. They are desperate, but are they clutching at straws?
Most of us pray only when life gets unbearable. True believers, however, will pray to God on a daily basis. That’s important, as it means you will develop a personal relationship with the one who loves you. It reinforces your belief and acts as a barrier to evil thoughts and behaviours.
Philippians 4:6-7 – Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
When do we pray?
I have always felt that prayer is something that you would do in private. It is personal and in the past is something that I would never have admitted that I had done. I think that’s because I didn’t want others to think that I was crazy. I now, however, have the absolute confidence to admit that yes I do pray and I now do it regularly. My change of mindset is due to the fact that I now fully believe in God, the Holy Spirit and Jesus as our saviour.
Thessalonians 5:16-18 – Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Matthew 6:6 – But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
What do we pray for?
It seems to me that many people pray only when they want something for themselves. It’s much better when you pray for the well being of others. Praying for yourself can be effective only when you are in dire need and have true faith. Praying in a selfish manner will not be effective. If you pray, for example, for more money, power or recognition then I don’t think you will be successful.
Psalm 34:18 – The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
James 4:3 – You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.
Gaining money, power and recognition would elevate you above others. You would become full of pride because of what you had achieved. But self focussed pride is sinful. Also, we are all considered equal in the eyes of God.
Proverbs 21:4 – Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin.
Galatians 3:28 – There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Praying without belief
It seems strange to suggest that some people pray without belief but that is what occurs regularly in many churches. That’s when prayer becomes a routine performance or a demonstration to others. True prayer comes from the heart and is coupled with faith. It’s not a half-baked meaningless recital of words that are written by others and displayed for you to read out aloud.
Mark 16:16 – Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
Revelation 3:16 – So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.
Praying with faith
Faithful prayer comes from the heart and is something between you and the Lord. It’s something that you do in private and has meaning. It’s when you pray with feeling and genuine belief. That’s what happened to me and resulted in my life changing moment (my epiphany).
When you have true faith your prayers have meaning. They strengthen your belief and are a daily reminder that you are connected with God. Prayer creates a focus on Jesus and his teaching, as outlined in the Holy Bible. It will lead to you being filled with the Holy Spirit.
Galatians 5:22-23 – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Remember that prayer works on you too. It is a means of turning away from evil thoughts and sinful behaviour. You will recognise that evil thoughts and the drive to behave badly comes from others (evil spirits). By doing that you will find that you don’t give value to those thoughts and behaviours. It’s something that I discussed in my blog titled “Controlling anger” when I made comment on reprogramming of the brain.
James 5:16 – Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
Matthew 21:22 – And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.
Praying with respect
I couldn’t understand why God wanted us to worship him, to praise him. But I was looking at things from a human perspective. It’s not ego that causes God to want this but it’s his love for us. He knows that by worship you will gain increased focus on Christ. He also knows that your prayers will have an impact on you. Prayer allows you to establish a personal relationship with God.
Seek and you will find.
Leave a Reply