Why is prayer such a recurring theme in Christian life? Why we pray for what we want is beyond me! Everybody says pray! But what if I don’t want to? What if you don’t? Charles Hadden Spurgeon once profoundly declared, “Prayer is always the preface to a blessing.” So, if you don’t want to be blessed, you don’t have to pray.
Who needs the mystical key that unlocks the boundless power of heaven and brings it pouring down here on this earthly realm?
What a waste of time.
You shouldn’t pray because if you do, all you’re doing is accepting some sacred invitation to step into God’s very presence, where majesty, strength, and unfathomable love await you.
Who needs that?
Imagine the sheer wonder of entering the illustrious throne room of our Creator, where you can pour out your heart, unveil your deepest desires, and lay bare your vulnerabilities to the One who created you and loves you more than you could ever dream.
Boo to that. No need to pray, right?
Another reason you should NOT do it
If you pray to Jesus, it just might bestow upon you the resolute fortitude to face the trials of life’s challenges.
It might even empower you to gracefully embrace the chaos of life.
Or it might even remind you that you are enveloped in the infinite love of your heavenly Papa-God.
That is clearly why we pray…or don’t.
What a fellowship; what a joy divine!
Clearly, I’m being sarcastic in this post.
I want you to see what we are doing and what we are missing if we do not pray.
Have you ever pondered the indubitable honor and distinct privilege it is to approach God in prayer? It’s a holy, sacred moment not limited by space, distance, or time.
It reminds me of a classic TV show, “I Dream of Jeannie.” Do you remember it?
The show’s premise is that this beautiful genie (played by Barbara Eden) would instantly and magically appear whenever her “master” called her. TO BE CLEAR: God is NOT our “genie,” and we are not His master. Far from it!
He is always with us when we need Him.
He doesn’t have to “come” to us either because He never leaves us.
So, if God is with you all the time, do you need to pray? Yes, if you want all the benefits and blessings above.
One more television comparison
Let me share a better example.
It’s the television show Quantum Leap. In this show, the guy travels through time and has a hologram friend who is always there to help.
Quote from the show: “No matter what happens, I am going to be with you every step of the way until we get you home.” Here is a video snippet to drive home my point. :)
Well, these analogies are getting goofy.
So, let me say prayer is a fantastic way to reach out to our Father and experience Him when we need Him.
All by just calling out to Him. He is there for you.
What’s better is that the very second you call, the actual Creator of heaven, earth, and everything in between directs His attention specifically to you (TO YOU!!!!)
It’s a mind-boggling concept, isn’t it? How blessed we are to have a God who owes us nothing yet gives us access to everything!
What a priceless, timeless gift – albeit one we often take shamelessly for granted, right?
Why do we pray to God?
Through prayer, God’s blessings flow from the heavenly realm; through prayer, intimacy with your Heavenly Father is cultivated and matured.
Why would you neglect that? Why do we? What makes us deprioritize prayer time? So crazy.
I am literally shaking my head.
Through prayer, your anxious, troubled spirit is quieted, soothed, and healed.
Yeah, prayer is like the spiritual superhighway, transporting every good and perfect thing into our lives.
And you want to settle for praying in the car or as you vacuum?
Bad idea.
Yep, again, it is one of the most neglected Christian disciplines.
When you think about it, it’s really a sad testament to our era how we misuse the gift of prayer so freely granted to us.
Generations of Christians dreamed of having access to the throne of God, and it sits within our very reach, unused and under-utilized. Geez!
Shame on us when we take this privilege for granted or neglect to see its power.
Christian Lady, if you haven’t caught on to what I’m saying, I’m telling you why we pray.
Spurgeon believed prayer to be the very catalyst for all blessings.
I agree, and again, I will take it further to say that prayer is THE blessing. Although God doesn’t wait for us to pray for what we need, He does move as we pray.
James said it this way: “You have not because you ask not”.
The grace and blessings you enjoy this very minute could directly result from another person’s prayer for you.
I think I might be a Christian because my grandparents prayed.
My mom prayed.
My uncle prayed.
I’m enjoying abundant peace and provision because they talked to God on my behalf.
Perhaps you are, too!
Back to why we pray.
“Lord, help me pray more often.”
Just remember, you are only as strong as your prayer life, Christian Woman.
Think of prayer as healthy food.
If you eat a little, your strength is limited.
On the other hand, if you eat good, wholesome food regularly, you have energy, stamina, and a strong immune system.
Prayer builds your spirit-man and helps you understand God’s heart and presence in a way nothing else ever could.
Why we pray to God…
We get clear benefits when we pray to God.
Below are the benefits I enjoy when I have a healthy, consistent prayer life.
I put them in big old gray boxes so you won’t miss them. :D
Calmer
Prayer caresses your spirit and settles anxiety. The key is to sit in the presence of God. Just being with Him.
Stronger
Something mighty happens in prayer. It gives you direct contact with the Father and the Holy Spirit. You come out with a different kind of confidence for your life than when you have weak or sporadic prayer habits.
Changed
Prayer does something to your heart. Something very supernatural. I think that’s why the Word of God tells us to pray for our enemies. If you pray long enough for someone, it’s impossible to hate them. At least for me anyway. I find it easier to forgive a person after I’ve prayed for them. Do you agree? Have you found that to be true too?
Resilience
Prayer gives us the strength to bounce back from life’s disappointments and struggles. Prayer builds resilience by fostering a deep connection with God, providing strength and comfort in difficult times. It allows us to release our worries and fears, grounding us in faith and empowering us to face challenges with renewed hope and courage. Through prayer, we are reminded of God’s presence and promises, which help us persevere even in the most trying circumstances.
Remember, a strong woman of God prays. It’s a lifestyle. Click to read about such a prayer!
The importance of prayer is clear.
Take full advantage of your spiritual “VIP pass” to the throne of grace!
Commit to spending some time in meaningful prayer this week. Make it a regular habit, okay?
Don’t take it for granted.
By the way, I am talking to myself, too.
We’re blessed to have a God who cares and a God who hears us. That’s why we pray.
You know, just yesterday, I was in a board room, and guess what I was doing?
I was praying. They had no clue, but I was. Prayer is how we live, how we stay connected, and it’s a Christian thing!
As Spurgeon said, it can also usher into your life the blessings you need! But those are byproducts. The true joy is to know Him and be with Him.
Amen? What do you think?
4 Reasons NOT to pray
Here are reasons not to pray and what you’ll get from neglecting to have a healthy, consistent strong prayer life.
The four outcomes of a poor prayer life are easy to achieve.
You will intentionally neglect prayer if:
- You do not want to have a pace and sense of well-being: Prayer has been linked to reduced stress, anxiety, and depression. A study published in the Journal of Behavioral Medicine found that individuals who engage in regular prayer experience improved emotional well-being and greater life satisfaction.
- You want to become bitter and stuck in bad cycles: Research in Psychology of Religion and Spirituality suggests that prayer can help individuals cope with adversity by fostering a sense of hope and providing a source of strength during challenging times.
- You want to be sick. Regular prayer has been associated with better physical health outcomes, including lower blood pressure and a stronger immune system, as highlighted in a study from The American Journal of Epidemiology.
- You don’t want to connect with positive Christian women: Prayer, especially communal prayer, enhances feelings of social support and connectedness, which can lead to improved overall health, according to research published in the Journal of Religion and Health.
These benefits demonstrate how prayer can contribute to both mental and physical health, fostering resilience and strengthening social bonds.
Thanks for reading, and be sure to “up” your prayer game ASAP.
Indeed. Whats the old song “oh, what needless pains we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer”. Prayer is our lifeblood.
I need more time with Him. Craving it.
oh that we all may throw off everything that hinders and devour every opportunity to spend uninterrupted undiluted time in His presence, listening for His voice, communing with Him. It is in His presence that we are restored, refreshed, and given rest….