Why Do We Bother Praying?
God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. (Ephesians 3:20-The Message)
Why do we even bother having a prayer life when God already knows the plan for our life?
It says in Ecclesiastes 3:14, “I’ve also concluded that whatever God does, that’s the way it’s going to be, always. No addition, no subtraction. God’s done it and that’s it.”
If that verse is true, then why bother developing a prayer life? Your first thought may be, well because that is what we are suppose to do. If God never takes back his word (Isaiah 31:2) and his plans stand firm (Psalm 33:11), why should we pray?
We find our answer in Ephesians 3:20 it says, “He does not push us around but by working WITHIN us…” God uses prayer to release his power (his Holy Spirit within us) to accomplish the will of God. In Philippians 2:13 it states, “That energy is God’s energy, an energy deep within you, God himself willing and working at what will give him the most pleasure.” (The Message)
God works within us, THROUGH PRAYER, until we desire to receive what God desires to give. Christian author and speaker Jennifer Kennedy Dean states, “The secret of prayer is not how to change God, but how to be changed by Him.” The more time you spend with God, the more you begin to desire what He desires.
When you pray are you giving God a grocery list of requests? When you pray are you spending time telling God which way is best? When you pray, do you pray in hopes of receiving material blessings?
Or when you pray do you pray in such a way that God can release the power of the Holy Spirit within your life?
As a Christian you are filled with the Holy Spirit from the point of salvation, no matter what you do, but the closer your walk is with Christ the more the Holy Spirit can freely move in your life. Jennifer Kennedy Dean states in her book Live a Praying Life, “Prayer releases the power of God to accomplish the will of God in situations and in the lives of people.”
Could God choose not to use us to accomplish his will? Sure, but he chooses to use us and the power of the Holy Spirit within us. God uses prayer to accomplish His will here on earth.
I don’t know about you, but that humbles me and motivates me to have a more active prayer life.
Heavenly Father, thank you that we can come to you at any time to speak with you. Help me to develop a prayer life where my heart is moved towards your will. Thank you that I can come to you with my prayer requests and desires, but I also know the more time I spend with you the more my desires will mirror your desires. Thank you for always teach and instructing me. Amen.
God’s Girl,
Lori
Find me daily:
Amen, amen.
Oh, so true. I really like how you have expressed the issue of prayer. Especially “…but that humbles me…” I think that we walk more in step with God when we pray…
Lori, this is such a timely post for me. I do believe prayer is such a privilege for me. To come before Almighty God and converse; wow! And yet how often I take it for granted and sometimes feel like I say the same prayer requests over and over with no response. And yet, if I really think abou it …He changes me as I spend time with Him. My prayers change. My thoughts change. I so desire His will in each and every situation of my life.
You wrote this so beautifully Lori. I have that book by Jennifer Dean Kennedy. She was at the book convention that you attended in Texas recently. Did you get to meet her?
Sorry this is so long but I just want to say thank you for this. I’m going to my prayer time now since I shouldn’t be online until I spend that special time with the Lord.
Oh Lori… I so agree…..I don’t know about you, but that humbles me and motivates me to have a more active prayer life.
Amen. My firend. Amen. Excellent post. Hugs.
Well said. Prayer is so much more than trying to get what I want. What I want should be a closer relationship with Him.
I liked the quote you used of Jennifer Kennedy Dean. Thanks for sharing.
It is posts like yours that humble me and motivate me to have a deeper prayerful relationship with God. Thank you. I continue to look forward to your Friday reflections.
God can’t work in us without our permission. He’s not a bully. However, when we draw close to HIm, we ask Him to come and help us. What a great post!
Thank you so much for this inspirational post.