Reasons to Pray
April 12, 2008 (Saturday)
Do we pray simply to get what we want? To be honest, sometimes we do pray like that. I think to do so is perfectly scriptural. But our reasons for praying go much deeper.
One reason we pray is that God demands it. We could fill up this article with scripture references on this. One will suffice today: “Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near” (Isa 55:6 NIV). “Seek the Lord!” “Call upon Him! These are the imperatives of prayer. These demands apply to each of us.
Another reason to pray is that the situation calls for it (whatever the situation may be). It’s never wrong to pray about anything. We need temporal things. We need spiritual help. We need to pray about the needs of others and our own needs, of whatever kind. Again, many scriptures apply, but I like this one: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:6-7 NIV). Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. And don’t forget to thank Him for the answers, remembering he answers in ways that are best.
Our reasons for praying include a very basic one: we need it. We can make room for prayer in our busy lives. One great servant of God said, “I have so much to do today, I must spend more time than usual in prayer this morning.” Prayer is spiritual exercise that makes us strong enough to meet the challenges of life. Prayer always changes us for the better. Others need our prayers, and we need prayer ourselves. Just as the body needs nourishment, so does the soul.
“Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
That calls me from a world of care,
And bids me at my Father’s throne
Make all my wants and wishes known.
In seasons of distress and grief,
My soul has often found relief,
And oft escaped the tempter’s snare,
By thy return, sweet hour of prayer!
“Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
Thy wings shall my petition bear
To Him whose truth and faithfulness
Engage the waiting soul to bless.
And since He bids me seek His face,
Believe His Word and trust His grace,
I’ll cast on Him my every care,
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!”