Why Pray

I was reading in a book called “They Were Christians” by Cristobal Krusen and he talks about 11 famous men who were Christians.  Dag Hammarskjold was one of them and in his private journal he said “for many years he had been on a quest for spiritual truth reading about different religions”.  He had read the Bible cover to cover and concluded the way to God was through  Christ Jesus. He said for someone like him, who grew up outside the church, it was a mystery.  Then one day he was sitting alone and out of nowhere, the words from the Gospel of Matthew came forcefully to mind:

• Matthew 18:3 “Unless you are converted and become. as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven,”

He said at that moment he began to cry and felt like a lost child.  He realized God was talking to him, and he realized he had to pray and open the door to his heart and invite Christ Jesus into his life. He left that place a new creation in Christ.  He left a person on a mission to follow the teaching of Christ.

We read in the Bible Jesus says to us;

• Revelation 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door of your heart and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.”

One of the most reassuring and encouraging words for us to remember is;

• Jeremiah 29:11“For I know the plans I have for you says God, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Lets look at twelve men that God had special plans for.  Remember when Jesus chose his disciples?  He was walking along the sea shore and sees men working as fishermen.  Jesus knew these were the men God had given to him to be his disciples.  He simply said to them, follow me, and they did.  Lets look at the men.  They had been raised in a culture that practiced  religion and prayer.  Their hearts where softened by God to want something special, but not knowing what.  When Jesus came to them and extended the offer to follow him they sensed this was what they were waiting for.  They were waiting for that special something and when they met Jesus, they knew he was that person.  Prayer was the lifeline between God and themselves.

• 1 John 5;14-15: “And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.” 
• Jesus taught his disciples and modeled a radical new way to live and pray. It caught there attention and they asked Jesus to teach them to pray as he did.  The disciples wanted something better than what they had been taught.  Jesus taught them a new way to pray, a new way to live, he taught them the Lord’s Prayer.
• Matthew 6:9-13: “Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive or debtors.  And do not lead is into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power, and the glory forever.  “

Jesus taught them that prayer is the key to communication with God in there daily life.  He taught them to always pray and never lose heart, to keep asking, and seeking, and knocking with confidence knowing God’s loving heart.

• Philippians 4:6-7; “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Jesus prayed many times during the day and night, and his disciples new it.  He wants us to do the same.  Often times we make excuses, we tell ourselves, Jesus was the Son of God and his prayer life was so much more than mine will ever be.  In reality, our prayer life can be like his and the Bible tells us to remember he was human too.

• Hebrews 5:7; “Jesus who in the days of His flesh”

This phrase says Jesus was human with the same fears and concerns as you and I have.  Jesus was tempted as we are.  Whatever weakness, failings, weariness we have experienced, he did too.  Christ understands us, and He knows how to help us faithfully resist temptations.  He successfully resisted them.  Remember this very important phrase “in the days of His flesh“, that means he was human like you and me.

In the days of His flesh, Jesus understood the seriousness of talking with His heavenly Father.  In the days of His flesh he chose not to allow anything to distract from his fellowship.  Can you say the same thing?  Have you  come to understand the importance of talking with God about everything, not letting anything distract you.  If Jesus, felt the need in his own life and ministry to let nothing interfere with his prayers to his Heavenly Father, we must also follow his example.  We need to talk with God daily. maybe many times, depending on what’s happening in our life’s.  The more we pray the closer we come to know God.

Why did Jesus pray so often and with such great intensity?  The Bible reveals that Jesus and his Father were always in loving union and constant fellowship with each other.   Jesus told his disciples in

• John 14:9 “If you have seen me you have seen my Father.” Prayer was the lifeline between Jesus and his Father, it is the lifeline between you and I and God our Father also.

The first time we see the lifeline, the special link between Jesus and his Father was when Jesus was baptized and while being baptized the heavens opened and the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from Heaven which said;

• Luke 3:21-22 “You are my beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.”

What about you?  Do you have an intimate relationship with the heavenly Father, in the days of your flesh.  During each day do you say prayers to help you get through each day.  When people look at you and get to know you can they see Jesus in you?  Can you say “I am in Him and He is in me”.  Are you trying to develop a closer relationship with God?  Are you keeping him in the forefront of your mind and experiences each day.  We need to find regular times of quiet to pray and receive God’s direction for our lives.  Jesus understood that every Christian needs to maintain this fellowship with God to serve and honor Him.  Jesus made a special point to tells us the importance of this special relationship.

• John 15:5 Jesus said “I am the vine, you are the branches“

He was explaining the close relationship of being with Him and how important it was.  He also prayed a prayer “If you abide in Me, and  My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you”.  Why was this so important to Him?  Because Jesus knew that when we experience a loving relationship with the Lord, it brings confidence into our prayer lives, and confidence leads to joy.

• John 15:11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and your joy may be full”.

When Jesus taught his disciples the Lord’s prayer he began with four very important words.  “Our Father in Heaven”, why those words?  Heaven brings to mind God’s infinite greatness, his Sovereignty over all things.  When we come to God in prayer, we come to our loving Father who is on His throne with all the resources of heaven and earth at His disposal, on our behalf. Have you ever thought of it like that before?  Jesus knew that heaven and earth are closely tied together.  God is present here; His rule on earth is real, personal, and sovereign, and His help can be counted on.  And he wants us to know this as well.

• Isaiah 46:4 “I made you, and I will care for you, I will carry you along and save you.”
• Ruth 4:15 “And I will still be carrying you when you are old. Your hair will turn gray, and I will still carry you.  I made you, and I will carry you to safety.”
• Romans 8:38-39 “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come , nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

The more time you spend in prayer with Him, the more you’ll come to understand His ways, His heart, and His will for you. The more time you spend reading in the Bible, the more you will see God talking to you through the words you read. Then the Holy Spirit will use those Bible verses as you pray to keep your life on track and in line with God’s nature, and His plan for your life.

• Jeremiah 33:3 “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do no know.”

Prayer is not for the purpose of getting God to do what we want, but for getting us to learn what God is about to do in our life’s.  Prayer is God’s invitation to enter His throne room so he can speak to our hearts.

• Hebrews 4:16 “Let us approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

Jesus sought His Father’s heart, and His Father’s will, not just for information, but for personal instruction and for guidance.  Jesus had a submissive heart to his Father’s will and because of His reverence and love toward God his Father, his prayers were the lifeline in his life. Every time Jesus entered his Fathers presence, God gave His Son understanding to what He, the Father was doing – so Jesus could adjust His life to it, and the Father could accomplish His purposes for the world through Him.  So what was the purpose of Jesus being born as mortal man, in the flesh,  like you and me.

• John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”
• Romans 5:8 “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ Jesus died for you and me.”

Throughout Jesus’ ministry he traveled from town to town preaching, teaching, and healing.  Mark records one instance where Jesus, long before daylight, went to a solitary place to pray.

• Mark 1:35 “Early the next morning, while it was still dark, Jesus woke and left the house. He went to a lonely place, where he prayed.”

When morning came Simon Peter and others went out looking for him. He had spent the previous day preaching, teaching, and healing those who were sick. People of the town wanted to hear more and experience His power.  Jesus response was “Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also.”   How did he know to go to the next town, why not help more people where he was?  Remember he had just spent hours praying to His Father receiving instructions.  The Father set before him a bigger task than just external needs of the people in that town.  Dear friend, our time with God in prayer will give us confidence to remain faithful to God’s assignment for us.

Lets look at the selection of the twelve apostles.  The Bible tells us Jesus was walking on the shore and calls out specific men to follow him.  How did Jesus know which men to invite to follow him?  Part of his Father’s will was to give Jesus men he could teach things of God.  Jesus spoke of these twelve men as men who God his Father had given to Jesus.

• Luke 6:12 “At that time Jesus went off to a mountain to pray, and he spent the night praying to God.”

And during the night in prayer the Father showed Him which twelve men to select.

In the same way the Father instructed his Son, He also wants to guide us and

direct us.  This can not happen if we do not spend time in prayer to get God’s

directions and instructions.  Heaven comes very close to those who have submitted

their hearts to the will of God in prayer.

Anyone who spends special dedicated time in prayer with God, as Jesus did, will come to know the heart of God.  Knowing the heart of God is to know the will of God, and to know the will of God is to know the awesome sense of accountability, as reflected in the phrase “godly fear“.  Godly fear is the reverent submission with which Jesus came to His Father in prayer in the days of His Flesh.

• Hebrews 5:7 “While Jesus lived on earth, he prayed to God and asked God for help. He prayed  with loud cries and tears to the One who could save him from death, and his prayer was heard because he trusted God.” 

Godly fear is the beginning of wisdom

• Psalm 111:10 “Wisdom begins with respect for the Lord; those who obey his orders have good understanding.”

So why pray.  Jesus had no difficulty connecting a proper fear of God with knowing God’s love.  For us this understanding can only come through fellowship with the Father and through prayer and Bible study.  When we seek the heart of God through scriptures, prayer provides this close fellowship to make strong His love towards us as expressed in the Bible.  As you spend time in prayer your knowledge of God will grow.  You will come to understand the will of God in your life.  You will come to understand the character of God and his holiness, His love, His heart, His ways, and His words.  Prayer is the life line between you and God.  God created you.  Not only that, he loves you and wants you to know him now and spend eternity with Him.  The Bible says, “Yet to all who receive him, to those who believe in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”  Accepting Jesus means believing that Jesus is the Son of God, then inviting him to guide and direct our lives.  Jesus said “I came that you might have life and have it more abundantly.” 

Prayer is our lifeline.

• Mark 11:24 “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in Prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours.”
• Romans 12:12 “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
• James 1:6 ” But when you ask in prayer, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.”
• Thessalonians 5:18 “Pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
• Psalm 145:18-19 “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call upon him in truth. He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them.”

Prayer is a powerful way to connect with Jesus and seek His guidance and blessings. As Christians, we believe that prayer is an essential part of our spiritual journey, and it can bring us closer to God and strengthen our faith.  Lord tell me your secret’s, my eyes are always looking to you for help.

1) Begin with gratitude

When we come to Jesus in prayer, it’s important to start by expressing our gratitude for all the blessings, good things, in our life. Take a few moments to reflect on the good things that have happened to you and the things you are grateful for, such as your health, family, and friends.

2) Be honest and sincere

It’s important to approach Jesus in prayer with an open and sincere heart. Be honest about your thoughts and feelings, and don’t be afraid to share your struggles and fears. Jesus is always ready to listen and provide comfort and support. When you are honest and sincere in your prayers, you open yourself up to receive the guidance and wisdom that Jesus has to offer.

3) Use Scripture as a guide

The Bible is filled with wisdom and guidance on how to pray and how to approach Jesus. Consider using a passage from the Bible as a guide for your prayer. You might choose a verse that speaks to your current situation or one that provides encouragement and inspiration. By using Scripture as a guide, you can feel more connected to Jesus and His teachings.

4) Pray with faith

When we pray to Jesus, we should do so with faith and trust in His power and love. Believe that Jesus hears your prayers and is working on your behalf, even if you don’t see immediate results. Pray with confidence and know that Jesus is with you, always.

Quotes

• “God is always ready to listen anytime you are ready to talk to him. Prayer is simply talking with God.”
• “Talk with God, no breath is lost. Walk with God, no strength is lost.  Wait for God, no time is lost.  Trust in God, you will never be lost.”
• “God, the Creator of the Universe desires a personal relationship with us because He chooses to love us even when we are the most unlovable towards Him.”