Why Pray?

Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray! The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

- James, the half-brother of Jesus, James 5:13a, 16b

Have you ever wondered if your prayers really matter? Do my prayers make a difference? Do they somehow change God’s mind and result in a new outcome?

In other words, why pray?

The words “pray, prayed, prayer or praying” show up 367 times in the Bible (one for each day of the year and more). Obviously, prayer is important. Abraham, Moses, David, the Old Testament Prophets, the Twelve Disciples, and the Apostle Paul, all prayed. Even Jesus when He walked this Earth prayed!

It is interesting that Jesus never really tells us that we should pray, but He does tell us “how to” pray and “how not to” pray (Matthew 6:5-11). Jesus assumes we will pray, but wants to be sure we do it correctly. The Apostle Paul, on the other hand, leaves no doubt as to whether and how often we should pray. He says to pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

So, we know we are to pray and that we are to pray often, but why pray?

There are several reasons. First, even from the world’s perspectives, there is value in prayer. Doctors’ research shows that prayer reduces stress, lowers our blood pressure, and regulates breathing. So, for no other reason than our own physical, mental, and emotional health… pray.

Secondly, it deepens our relationship with God. Prayer is communication; it is dialogue. Have you ever tried to have a relationship with someone without talking with them? I do not recommend trying that on your spouse or loved one! It could be the quickest way to destroy a relationship. God desires a relationship with us, which necessitates communication with us. It involves us both talking to and listening to Him. The more we do so, the stronger the connection and the deeper the relationship.

Thirdly, it is a spiritual practice, a rhythm, that leads us into spiritual maturity. Reading the Bible, attending church, fellowshipping with other believers, and prayer are all important to our spiritual growth.

Fourthly, we pray because prayer makes a difference. It matters. One might wonder, since God is sovereign and omniscient (in control of all things and knows all things, operating outside of space and time), then what good is prayer. Does it really change anything?

Throughout the Gospels, we read of Jesus telling us that prayer causes things to happen. He said:

You can say to this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and it will move.

- Matthew 17:20

I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

- Mark 11:24

Ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you.

- John 15:7

We are to pray because God sometimes waits on us, on our prayers, to move Him into action. Sure, He already knows the outcome, but He desires to hear from us that we be more closely aligned with Him. Prayer does that. We ask for God to give us what we want (and the Psalmist tells us in Psalm 37:4 that God wants to give us the desires of our heart), but then we trust in Him for His Will to be done, knowing that in the end, His Will is perfect - and it is good.

Prayer more closely aligns us with God and the work He is doing, and it does make a difference.

So, pray, for prayer changes things, but way more importantly… prayer changes us.

Pastor Ken

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