Why Do We Pray?
This is an introductory study about the topic of prayer.
Pray without ceasing.
The Bible teaches us to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). It teaches us why we should pray, what we should pray for, and how we should pray.
Prayer is the special and unique way that we each can communicate with our Creator who made us. Many people pray with their eyes closed, heads bowed, and hands folded. And while that can be fine, the Bible also describes that when Jesus prayed to His Father, he looked up toward heaven. Different approaches to prayer might be needed depending on the circumstances.
Some people pray so that others will see them do so. But, Almighty God’s Son Jesus also teaches us that prayer should be a private matter.
God’s Son Jesus the Christ is our mediator, our go-between to Almighty God, and when we pray to God, we must pray to Him in Jesus’ name.
As we follow God in our life journey, it is important to have patience and persistence. Sometimes, when we ask for something to be accomplished, it might not happen as we expected because it is not according to God’s will. Or, it might take longer than we expect for our prayer to receive an answer. God’s timing is perfect!
Because prayer is the unique and special way we connect with our Creator through His Son Jesus, we can use it anytime and anywhere. (Hebrews 4:12) The scriptures explain that God knows the thoughts and intentions of the heart, and from our prayers, he knows both.
- What does it mean to pray? To petition, to earnestly request, and to ask for help. Prayer is one way that we can offer spiritual sacrifices to God.
- Who do we pray to? We pray to Almighty God, whose name is YHWH, through His Son Jesus Christ.
- Why do we pray to Almighty God? For help, to endure, to overcome, to thank and praise Him, and much more.
- How are we to pray? In private or as a group. With humility and reverence.
What are we to pray for? Pray for the things that align with Almighty God’s will (James 4:3). Pray to receive the Holy Spirit so that we can understand the Holy scriptures. Pray for others who mourn to be comforted. Pray as a thanksgiving to God, for His kingdom to come, for forgiveness, for wisdom, and much more. For other prayer ideas, read the book of Psalms in the Bible.
Study 07: Prayer
Psalm 5:1-3
Look up to God in heaven and make your request. In this verse, David made his petition in the morning. Prayer is a great way to start your day. Consistent prayer is best.
John 17:1-12
Jesus Christ demonstrated for us how to pray. He looked toward God in Heaven. He showed us who to pray for, His followers and believers. He also demonstrated what to pray for when he asked for followers and believers to be given help for service. This example also shows that when we pray, we are in direct communication with our Father in heaven. Anyone can pray directly to the Father, the Almighty God, through Jesus Christ. To consider the entire prayer of Jesus Christ, read verses 1 through 26, which describe the who, what, how, and why of prayer.
1 Timothy 2:1-8
This call to prayer is for all people, including kings and people in authority. This verse confirms that Jesus Christ is the mediator between humans and God, and that Jesus Christ gave his life for us, and to pray without anger and dispute.
John 16:22-24
Ask God the Father in Jesus’ name. When Jesus was on Earth, until this time the disciples had not asked for anything from God through Jesus name. Jesus Christ was with them in person. In verse 22, Jesus told his disciples that he would reunite with them in the future.
Matthew 6:5-13
These examples are about how to pray and what to pray for, and also how not to pray. One example of how not to pray is in a way that draws attention. Jesus provides an example of a prayer, but he does not explain that we need to follow it verbatim every time we pray. Which begs the question: What is a vain repetition of prayer? Vain is inauthentic, and repeating words that are not from the heart in prayer would be a vain repetition. You can repeat words in a prayer if it is from your heart, otherwise it is considered vain repetition. As each of us mature spiritually, we learn how and what to pray for so that it is our own prayer.
1 Thessalonians 5:17-18
The Bible teaches us to pray frequently, without ceasing. For example, it is praise to God to give thanks to Him in everything, because it is His will. Ask God and thank Him continually through His son Jesus Christ. See also Ephesians 5:20.
Luke 18:1-8
Be persistent in prayer to God and He will hear you. These verses are talking about a persistent woman. Like her, if you are persistent, you will get help. Some examples in the Bible exists where people did not get what they asked for, and those were for reasons that God deemed important.
Examples
Jesus Christ asked for the cup to pass from him regarding his being crucified. But, Jesus qualified his request because he asked for his Father’s will to be done. See Matthew 26:39 and Luke 22:42. The result was that Jesus Christ ended up being crucified as the Passover Lamb, which was ultimately God’s will.
Paul sought to have his thorn in the flesh removed, but was told, “my grace is sufficient to you”, because in weakness God’s power is perfected.
See 2 Corinthians 12:8-10. The result was that Paul’s thorn in the flesh remained.
Daniel asked for the understanding of the prophecies he had just received, but was told to rest because the words were sealed until the time of the end.
See Daniel 12:8-9, 13. The result was that although Daniel did not understand the visions he was instructed to rest and stand in his lot at the end.
Examples of kneeling together in prayer:
Acts 20:32-38: This example shows Christians who knelt together with Paul and prayed together with him with their grief of him leaving.
Acts 21:5: The believers knelt down and prayed together before they said farewell.
Pray believing without doubt:
Matthew 21:18-22: Pray believing you will receive your request. Faith is powerful and is an important part of prayer.
Let your requests be made known to God:
Philippians 4:4-7: Do not worry about what will happen, but instead pray to God to have peace.
Additional references for further study:
- James 5:13-16 – Examples of fervent prayer.
- Romans 8:26-27 – The Spirit makes intercessions for us when we pray.
- 1 John 5:14-15 – Ask according to His will, and we know He hears us.
- Job 42:10 – Pray for your friends as Job did.
- Luke 11:9-13 – Ask for the Holy Spirit to be given to you.
- Revelation 8:3-4 – The prayers of the saints are saved as an offering for the future. So, pray on!
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