Why do we pray?
When was the last time you spent time praying? What was the last thing that you prayed for? Have you ever paused to reflect on the action of prayer? Or, is prayer more of a reflexive response? Whether we think about it or not, there is a deep confession we submit to in the action of prayer. That confession is of God’s sovereignty. In that, we affirm that He is authoritative and strong over all things, and conversely, we are not. It is in that confession we find the reason for why we pray. We are in need of divine help, guidance, and assistance. The wonderful news of Christianity is that we have a Heavenly Father that loves us, is near to us, hears us, and intervenes generously in our lives when we ask. At least, that is what the biblical authors seemed to think.
I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. – Psalm 40:1
Give ear to my words, O Lord; consider my groaning. Give attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you do I pray. O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch. – Psalm 5:1-3
If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. – John 15:7
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. … And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. – James 5:13,15
In Acts, we see the first believers being committed to prayer and to praying together. Why? Because they were firmly aware that God was doing something extraordinary in their midst. They were fully present to the reality that they needed God’s divine help, and they asked for Him to help.
Why do we pray? Because God is God and we are not.
Why should we have confidence in prayer? Because God loves us and desires to intervene in our lives for our good and His glory.
Prayer is not a secondary option or response for a believer. If God really is God, then prayer is the first response and the greatest option for believers.