Why do we pray?
We can’t live longer than just a few short minutes without breathing. When we think about someone who has asthma, who struggles to breathe, their condition can affect their whole body. They might get pains in their chest and struggle to speak when they have an attack. We usually don’t think about the fact that we are breathing, yet we need it to stay alive. Being able to breathe makes us so light and happy and it allows us to be active.
For a believer, prayer is (or should be) like breathing, you can say. It is the lungs of a wholehearted believing Christian. We cannot have faith living in us if we don’t pray. Prayer makes us happy, it makes us active and it makes things light and easy for us in daily life when we are close to God. Actually, we can’t live without being in the spirit of prayer, talking with God every day. That is how we get help, strength and answers to the big and small situations of life. (Hebrews 4:16.)
Why do we pray?
We do not know what we should pray for, but we sense that the Holy Spirit prays for us and makes things more clear for us. (Romans 8:26-27.) This helps us to go to Him even more, and we come into a good spirit of prayer.
Prayer is closely connected with the teaching of the Word: “Then we can continue to pray and to teach the word of God.” Acts 6:4 (NCV). First comes prayer, and then the teaching of God’s Word. We can put it this way: It is prayer that gives us the power to teach the Word of God. Without an inner prayer to God, and being in the spirit of prayer, we can’t give spiritual food and help to people through God’s Word.
Prayer has the power to move God’s hands. If we pray for someone in another country, God’s hands move over to that country and He works in the people we are praying for. It makes it possible for us to reach far, so that we can be active all around the world from where we are.
Paul had the daily responsibilities of the church, tasks that God had given to him. (2 Corinthians 11:28.) Those were prayers, and he prayed for them every day. He used a lot of time to think about the others and to pray for them, and for the churches. He sensed and knew their strengths and weaknesses and he prayed for them, so that God could help them. This we should also do when someone has sinned, as is written in 1 John 5:16. We should pray, and then God will give them life.
Prayer is an amazing, hidden and glorious work. God gives life to others through our prayers and that again makes us very thankful for God. Prayer has the effect that we always give thanks. (Philippians 4:6-7; Colossians 4:2.)
“‘Prove Me now,’ we hear Him gently calling;
Blest are they who take Him at His Word.
Though all others may leave you or neglect you,
Yet by Him each sigh will still be heard.
In the heart that feels its need and sorrow,
He creates with Words so wonderful.
If you place your life into His keeping,
He will open heaven over your soul.”