Because God loves us
Just as a loving parent wants to talk to his or her kids so God wants to communicate with us. He wants to hear from us and he wants us to listen to him. In today’s busy world it’s difficult to hear God’s quiet voice unless we make time for him. If we listen we will hear what he has to say. This will begin to change our thinking so that our prayers will fit better with God?s plans for the World. God loves answering that sort of praying.
Prayer gives us peace beyond understanding
Everyone knows that the most intimate communion with God comes through prayer. Many experience a feeling of peace and comfort in prayer, especially in desperate situations. The Apostle Paul knew this when he said: ?Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.? (Phil 4: 6-7)
Prayer revitalizes us
When our relationship with God is close we feel vital and fulfilled. “If we draw near to God he will draw near to us”. (James 4:8) We do this through prayer including confessing and repenting of our short comings (sin).
Prayer releases God’s power
The Bible is full of stories teaching that God is eager to answer the prayers of his followers. Throughout history generations all over the world have seen God?s power being released as a result of prayer. The miracles of Israel?s exodus from Egypt and journey to the promised land were all answers to prayer. So were Jesus? miracles of stilling storms, providing food, healing the sick and raising the dead. More recently the book ?The Heavenly Man? by Brother Yun gives a riveting account of God at work in the modern age.
God?s power can change circumstances and relationships. It can help us face life?s daily struggles. It can heal psychological and physical problems, remove obstructions in a marriage, meet financial needs ? in fact, it can handle any kind of difficulty, dilemma or discouragement. Someone has said that when we work, we work, but when we pray, God works. His supernatural strength is available to praying people who are convinced to the core of their beings that he can make a difference. Sceptics may argue that answered prayers are only coincidences, but as an English Archbishop observed, ?It?s amazing how many coincidences occur when one begins to pray.?
Prayer has significant results. We often can?t prove conclusively that prayer or God ?did it? but the balance of probability and the sheer number of times we experience an intervention is convincing!
Are you weary of praying? We’d like to be used by God to inspire you to continue to pray, no matter how discouraged you may feel right now. We know that God answers prayer. He answers ours, and he will answer yours too. Furthermore, he wants to hear from you. Your adventure of prayer begins with his willingness to listen.
