Prayer is considered one of the basic disciplines of the Christian life, yet it is often one of the most neglected. The challenge is not so much how to pray or what to pray but actually to pray.

Luke 11:1 says, ‘And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.’

Below are some reasons to pray. Listen to the audio teaching on this topic here.

REASONS TO PRAY

1. Prayer is how we talk with God.

Gen 3:8-9 – From the time the first man and woman were placed in the garden, God was talking to them and they were talking to him. Even after their sin, God came walking and looking for man to talk with him.
Luke 11.1-13 – Don’t make prayer a duty, a discipline; see it as a conversation with a loving heavenly father, the great God of heaven.

2. Prayer was a vital part of the lives of many people in the Bible.

a. Jesus

Luke 5.15-16 – Great multitudes came to hear Jesus but he withdrew into the wilderness to pray.
Luke 6.11-12 – When Jesus opponents grew very angry and began to plot against him, he went out into a mountain and prayed all night.
Luke 9.18 – He spent time alone (with his disciples) praying.
Luke 9.28-29 – 8 days later, more praying.
Luke 11.1 – As he was praying in a certain place
Luke 22.40-46 – Intense prayer before his betrayal and crucifixion

b. The Early Church

Acts 1.14 – Unified in prayer
Acts 1.24 – Prayed for wisdom
Acts 4.31 – Prayed for boldness
Acts 6.4 – Wouldn’t let anything get in the way of prayer

c. Many Others

Abraham, Moses, Hannah, Samuel, David, Solomon, Elijah, Elisha, Isaiah, Hezekiah, Daniel, Nehemiah, Job, Jeremiah, Jonah.

3. We are too weak to make it without prayer.

Mark 14.38-39 – The flesh is weak; so watch and pray.
Luke 18.1 – Men ought always to pray and not to faint.
Acts 16.25 – When they were at their lowest, they prayed and sang.
Nehemiah 4.9 – Prayed when their enemies conspired.

4. We need God’s guidance in and blessing on everything.

Acts 1.24 – Prayed when appointed a new apostle.
Acts 6.6 – Prayed when appointed men to servant leaders (probably first deacons)
Acts 1.3 – Prayed when sent out the first missionaries.
Acts 14.23 – Prayed when appointed elders/pastors of the churches.

5. Prayer works.

Dan 9.19-20 – While I was praying, God answered.
Jon 2.1,10 – Jonah prayed and the Lord heard.
2 Kings 6.17 – Prayer opens our eyes to what is true.
Lots of other answers to prayer – Acts 9:20, Gen 20:7,17, Num 11:2, 1 Sam 1:27, 1 Kings 13:6

6. Prayer glorifies God.

God is a living, personal, and powerful God. When we pray we are expressing our faith that God is alive, that He hears, and that He has the power to intervene.
Read Isaiah 44:1-20

Why Pray