For us to pray sincerely, we should know the reason and purpose of prayer. Some people may pray aimlessly without purpose, so let us see why we should pray.
1) We should give thanks to God through prayer
We often experience and feel God’s love and grace in our daily lives. We can give thanks to God for the countless blessings He bestows upon us through prayer. Prayers giving thanks to God include: thanks for our daily bread before a meal, thanks for providing a solution in difficulties, and thanks for the fact that God is our hope in all stressful situations. When we have grown accustomed to giving thanks to God for His grace, God will grant us even more things to be thankful for.
2) We should pray to receive help from God
We encounter many difficulties in life. Since our own abilities are limited, we need God’s help. Therefore, we should pray to God, who knows our weaknesses and helps us (Isa 41:10).
3) We pray in obedience to God’s word so that we may receive what we need
Jesus promised us that He would certainly answer our prayers, as follows:
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”Mt 7:7–8
In our life of faith, there are many things we need to ask, seek, and knock for. When we obey Jesus’ word, “ask, seek, and knock,” God will fulfill everything we desire.
4) We should pray to overcome temptation
After Jonah offered a prayer of repentance and obeyed God, he was able to lead the wicked people of Nineveh to repentance and salvation (Jnh 2:1-3:10). Through prayer Job was able to overcome Satan’s temptation in the end (Job 42:10). When Daniel was taken captive to Babylon, he prayed toward Jerusalem three times a day and was rescued from the lion’s den (Da 6:19-25). Jesus overcame Satan’s temptation after He fasted and prayed for forty days (Mt 4:1-11). He taught us saying, “Be always on watch, and pray so that you may be able to overcome temptation” (Lk 21:34-36).
As seen through many examples of faith in the Bible, we can overcome difficulties through prayer. We must lead a life of prayer to overcome all kinds of temptations and trials.
In conclusion, prayer is necessary to give thanks to Almighty God for His grace, ask for His help, and pass various kinds of tests and trials we may face. By offering earnest prayers of thanks that God is pleased with, let us receive many blessings from God.
- Food for Thought
- How was Job able to overcome Satan’s severe temptation?
- What are the reasons we should pray?