WHY DO WE PRAY?

Christian philosopher and scientist
Blaise Pascal (1623-62) wrote, "The
heart has its reasons of which
reason knows nothing … "
What is prayer?
Prayer is the lifting up of our mind and heart to God.
This article proposes that prayer has its
reasons. Why we pray is important,
as is prayer itself.
What are the reasons to pray?
> God's Word Calls Us to Pray
One key reason to pray is because
God has commanded us to pray. If
we are to be obedient to His will,
then prayer must be part of our life
in Him.
Where does the Bible call
us to prayer?
Several passages are
relevant:
"Pray for those who persecute
you" –Matthew 5:44 (NIV) [1]
"And when you pray …" –
Matthew 6:5
"This, then, is how you should
pray …" –Matthew 6:9
"Be joyful in hope, patient in
affliction, faithful in prayer." –
Romans 12:12
"And pray in the Spirit on all
occasions with all kinds of
prayers and requests." –
Ephesians 6:18
"Do not be anxious about
anything, but in everything, by
prayer and petition, with
thanksgiving, present your
requests to God." –Philippians
4:6
"Devote yourselves to prayer,
being watchful and thankful." –
Colossians 4:2
"Pray continually" -1
Thessalonians 5:17
"I urge, then, first of all, that
requests, prayers, intercession
and thanksgiving be made for
everyone …" -1 Timothy 2:1
Prayer is an act of obedience. God
calls us to pray and we must
respond.
> Jesus Prayed Regularly
Why did Jesus pray?
One reason he
prayed was as an example so that
we could learn from him. The
Gospels are full of references to the
prayers of Christ, including these
examples:
"After he had dismissed them, he
went up on a mountainside by
himself to pray." –Matthew 14:23
"Then Jesus went with his
disciples to a place called
Gethsemane, and he said to them,
'Sit here while I go over there
and pray.'" –Matthew 26:36
"Very early in the morning, while
it was still dark, Jesus got up, left
the house and went off to a
solitary place, where he prayed."
–Mark 1:35
"But Jesus often withdrew to
lonely places and prayed." –Luke
5:16
"One of those days Jesus went
out to a mountainside to pray,
and spent the night praying to
God." –Luke 6:12
"Then Jesus told his disciples a
parable to show them that they
should always pray and not give
up." –Luke 18:1