Why Pray?

[RickD]

Nessa,

While we don't always feel like God is there, He is.

He will never leave us nor forsake us. Ever. That's His promise, and His promises are true.

[B. W.]

Here is the list from the other post on prayer to start off things...

Hold on - my wife's talking to me - this may take awhile

Prayer is a large topic...as there are many ways and reasons to pray such as:

Intercession ie arbitration

Request

Needs

Worship

General conservation - fellowship

Spiritual warfare

General conversation - getting to know God

Promises - releasing these, petition for

Experiencing closeness to God's presence

John 20:22-23 - release, unbind, loose, deliver, set free from sins or the retaining of these (Note whom Paul prayed about in 1 and 2 Corinthians regarding someone trapped in sin as example of this)

Praying in the Spirit and with understanding...

Asking for God's Wisdom for the day and times

Discernment

Silver these are few bullet point reasons why we pray. It is a shame that folks are not taught about prayer or how too very much anymore so that prayer becomes boring and stopped by philosophic reasoning that borderlines on old puritanism predestination concerning - why bother to pray - God knows all.

Here is something else to consider. The gospel accounts mention that if we love/care about/know the Lord we should do what he tells us to do. One of the things he tells us is to pray. In the Lords Prayer are listed bullet points subject lines about the different ways one prays.

For the others...

Maybe we should start a thread here on Why Pray?

Let me know if that sounds good?

[1over137]

Some of the whys here:

1 Timothy 2:1-4 ESV
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Matthew 26:41 ESV
Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

James 5:16 ESV
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

Colossians 4:2 ESV
Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

James 5:13-18 ESV
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. ...

2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV
If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Jeremiah 29:12 ESV
Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.

Psalm 145:18-19 ESV
The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them.

Luke 21:36 ESV
But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

[EssentialSacrifice]

Colossians 4:2 ESV
Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

perseverance in prayer... Luke 18:6 ... being watchful in it.

[IceMobster]

Indeed, why pray?
God doesn't need the prayers. We are the ones who need them (or so I have been told). Do we? (it's not like I don't pray, I am just asking)

[1over137]

Sure we do.
We are closer To God, we keep staying awake, we realize who we really are - needy people, sinful people, thankful people.
It sure help us. Opening our hearts, expressing our cries. It help us to fight evil too.

[Storyteller]

I have a silver crucifix around my neck, a gift from my mother in law, every night I hold it and pray, just thank God, talk to Him.
A connection, a time.
With God.

I pray because the more I do it, the more I want to do it.

[Nessa]

I've had this real desire lately just to be with God... Without words... Communicating heart to heart.

Sometimes I wonder if words get in the way.

[RickD]

When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realised that the Lord doesn't work that way. So I stole one and asked Him to forgive me.






Emo Philips

[Storyteller]

I've had this real desire lately just to be with God... Without words... Communicating heart to heart.

Sometimes I wonder if words get in the way.

yes, they do.

[IceMobster]

When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realised that the Lord doesn't work that way. So I stole one and asked Him to forgive me.






Emo Philips

Too bad he didn't realize Lord doesn't work that way either. I can feel my brain cells exploding when I see that picture and the quote.

[Hortator]

I've had this real desire lately just to be with God... Without words... Communicating heart to heart.

Sometimes I wonder if words get in the way.

That's why Jesus was all about touch. Jesus would embrace just about anybody, even women, which some Jewish men at the time wouldn't even talk to if they were married.

I think we could all benefit from pulling in our safety-bubble a tad. Words can only go so far. Physical contact is the simplest and purest way to give and receive affection. Like the dogs and alpacas who visit hospitals to pet the elderly

[Nessa]

I've had this real desire lately just to be with God... Without words... Communicating heart to heart.

Sometimes I wonder if words get in the way.

That's why Jesus was all about touch. Jesus would embrace just about anybody, even women, which some Jewish men at the time wouldn't even talk to if they were married.

I think we could all benefit from pulling in our safety-bubble a tad. Words can only go so far. Physical contact is the simplest and purest way to give and receive affection. Like the dogs and alpacas who visit hospitals to pet the elderly

The dogs and alpacas go to pet the elderly? I hope the elderly dont bite

[IceMobster]

Don't go so harsh on him. He hasn't been sleeping well as of late.

[Kurieuo]

This question seems to come up often, I've come to one main answer I'm taking a liking to as to why anyone should pray.

Prayer is an act of worship which acknowledges God as the rightfully sovereign LORD over all creation.