Why Pray?
It Is Through Prayer That We Learn The Ineffable Attributes Of A Loving God
God’s name was considered sacred to the Nation of Israel. When translating the Hebrew name of God into
another language they would use a substitute name - HaShem, The Name. God’s name is sacred and
should never be used in a flippant manner. The names we have in the English translations are descriptive
titles of what it is that God does. Jehovah-Jireh, God Provides; Jehovah-Shalom, the Lord our Peace;
Jehovah-Nissi, the Lord our Banner; Jehovah-Rapha, the Lord our Healer. God is infinite and we are
finite. We can never comprehend the complete nature of God but we can we have relationship with Him
through the manifestations of the attributes He bestows on us.
It Is Through Prayer That God’s Kingdom Manifests Here On The Earth
Prayer allows us to petition the Heavenly Father to establish a Kingdom on Earth as it is in the Heavens. In
God’s Kingdom there is peace, joy, everlasting life and oneness with His Son Christ Jesus. The Tabernacle
that Moses was instructed to build on the Earth was based on the pattern he saw of the Tabernacle in
Heaven. As Moses was able to instruct the Nation of Israel to build a type of the Heavenly Tabernacle here
on Earth, we through prayer can also glimpse and obtain heavenly peace, joy and everlasting life here in
the Earth. Just as other nations marveled at the Temple which housed the Tabernacle in its grandeur, so
will men marvel at the peace we as believers have on the Earth because we allow God’s Kingdom to
manifest in us on the Earth through prayer. Eyes have not seen, ears have not heard, neither has it
entered into the heart of man the things that God has prepared for those who love, but God has revealed
them to us by His Spirit.
Prayer Reveals Our Expected End Or Purpose In Life
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give
you an expected end. Christ Jesus our Lord in the Garden of Gethsemane prayed not my will, but thou will
be done. It is only through prayer that we can know that the path we are treading is the path God intends
for us to walk. God knows our expected end. On our journey to righteousness we may come across
obstacles and hindrances that may not appear to be God’s plan for your life. Christ Jesus our Lord prayed
that the bitter cup would pass from Him. He also stated that He came to do the will of His Father in
Heaven. It was through prayer and consultation with our Heavenly Father that He knew the Father’s will
for His life, even though He did not want it. Unless we know God’s will for our life, His expected end, we
will not know the purpose God intended for our lives. Through knowing the will of God in prayer, we can
see through the obstacles and hindrances to see the promise God has for us.
Prayer Allows Us To Ask A Loving Father To Supply Our Needs
Give us this day our daily bread. God supplies what we need when we ask Him in prayer. Christ Jesus our
Lord, stated whatsoever ye desire when praying believe that you receive it and you shall have it. God has
given us a promise that if we ask anything according to His will for our lives He will give it to us. We do not
know what to ask for if we do not know His will is for our lives. Often times we do not receive from God
because we ask for the wrong reasons. We learn God’s will for our lives through prayer. Knowing God’s
will for our lives gives us the confidence to request the things we need on a daily basis. Because our
Heavenly Father loves us so much He will not withhold any good thing from us.
Prayer Removes Sin
We pray to remove the stain of sin. John the Baptist proclaimed, behold the Lamb of God who comes to
take away the sins of the world. Confession of our faults and sins though prayer gives us a fresh start in
life. God is faithful and just to remove the stain of sin from us if we come to Him in prayer. Oh the
wondrous Blood of Jesus that cleanses our filthy hearts and minds. It is sin that separates us from God.
Only through acknowledging the shed blood of Christ Jesus our Lord for our sins are we able to approach
the Heavenly Father. Sin holds us in bondage to our past. It is through forgiveness that we can approach
each day with renewed confidence that our best is yet ahead of us.
Prayer Establishes The Brotherhood Of All Believers
Prayer teaches us to love and know our brothers. Christ Jesus replied to His disciples that His mother and
brothers were those that do the will of His Father in Heaven. Only God knows the heart. However God will
reveal the things of the heart so that we will know those that are true believers in Christ Jesus and those
that are wolves in sheep clothing. Prayer binds us together as believers in Christ Jesus. We are
instructed to pray one for another that we may be healed. It is when we are on one accord in prayer with
other believers that our prayers are not hindered.
Prayer Teaches Us How To Handle Temptations
Temptations are areas of our life that we will succumb to if not for the Grace of God. Prayer gives God the
opportunity to warn us of impending temptations or allows Him to redirect our paths to avoid temptations.
This is why we should be in a constant state of prayer. The flesh is weak, and only through prayer are we
able to maintain control over the impulse to do what is wrong.
Prayer Protects Us From The Enemy
Prayer places a hedge around us from the enemy. Satan is a roaring lion seeking who he can devour. It is
only when we are in the ark of safety through Christ Jesus our Lord that we are protected. As the
Archangel Michael said when disputing over the Body of Moses with Satan, “The Lord rebuke thee”.
Prayer places God at the forefront of all our struggles to fight for us.
Prayer Acknowledges The Atoning Work Of Christ Jesus
All prayers must be offered to the Heavenly Father in the name of His Son Christ Jesus. Christ Jesus our
Lord said whatsoever we ask in His name the Father will do it. In asking in the name of Jesus, we are
acknowledging the price Christ paid for our sins and that we acknowledge the Father’s love that He had for
us.
Prayers Reminds Us Who The Giver Of Life Is
Prayer reminds us that God created life. It reminds us that we are dependent on God for
life since He is the giver of life. God is like a doting Father that marvels at His creation. He
wants the best for His children and the way we receive the best is through asking Him in
prayer for our daily needs.
Prayer acknowledges God as being the creator and maintainer of the Universe. His
domicile is in Heaven. It is from Heaven that God listens for the prayers of believers and
also watches over them to perform His Word in their lives.