Why Should I Pray?
Have you ever asked yourself the question, ‘Why should I pray?’ R. A. Torrey, a former president of Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, once wrote ten powerful reasons why we as believers should pray:
- There is a devil and prayer is the God-appointed means of resisting him.
- Prayer is God’s way for us to obtain what we need from Him.
- The apostles, whom God set forth to be a pattern for us, considered prayer to be the most important business of their lives.
- Prayer occupied a prominent place and played a very important part in the earthly life of our Lord.
- Prayer is the most important part of the present ministry of our Lord, since He is now interceding for us.
- Prayer is the means God has appointed for our receiving mercy from Him and obtaining grace to help in time of need.
- Prayer is the means of obtaining the fullness of God’s joy.
- Prayer with thanksgiving is the means of obtaining freedom from anxiety, and in anxiety’s place is peace which passes understanding.
- Prayer is the means by which we are to keep watchful and be alert at Christ’s return.
- Prayer is used by God to promote our spiritual growth, bring power into our work, lead others to faith in Christ, and bring all other blessings to Christ’s church.
In actuality, the question should not be why should I pray, but how can I afford not to pray?
Just look at that list! It is not exhaustive, by any means. Have you looked through the Psalms lately? You’ll find that prayer should be the most vital part of a believer’s life. Just as a husband and wife cannot have a good relationship without communicating, the same is true of us as believers; we cannot have a good relationship with God if there is no communication. Prayer is how we talk to God, and His Word is how He speaks to us.
Our view of prayer can be so shallow. Think about it: when there is a crisis with a family member—a child is rushed to the emergency room; a routine mammogram reveals you have a lump and further testing shows it’s malignant; your sibling is experiencing depression; there’s more month than money to make it each month—what is the first thing that we often say in these circumstances? “Well, I guess all I can do now is pray.”
Recently, Ann Voskamp said it so well, “The world needs prayer warriors who don’t see prayer as the least we can do but the most we can and then literally get down on their knees and pray us through this heartache.” Prayer is not a last-resort, it’s the best thing that we can ever do for anyone.
I know that sometimes in the midst of the chaos and cares of this world it can be hard to find the words. I want to encourage you to draw near anyway. He’s listening.
Thank You, God, for never turning a deaf ear to my call to You, and for always listening to my cares and concerns. Help me to see prayer, not as a last-resort, but the very best thing I can do for anyone.
Even today I almost replied with the “It’s the least that I can do” line when someone thanked me for praying for them. I am grateful that He reminded me that prayer is so much more than the least that I can do. Thank you for these words.
Thank you for the encouragement, Dan. I think we all need the reminder once in awhile. Blessings.
What a great reminder that prayer really should be our first step, and not our last resort. Thank you Marsha.