Why We Pray

I've been asked fairly often why we pray. Mostly by Christians, in fact. The thinking is something like, "If God is sovereign and omniscient, what's the point?" I don't think it's necessarily a skeptical or belligerent question, either. Seems reasonable. Like Mary's "How will this be, since I am a virgin?" question (Luke 1:34). It isn't a dodge or an attempt to rebel. It's an attempt to understand. So let's see if we can.

First and foremost -- the easiest answer -- is "Because He said to." Simple obedience. Jesus urged perseverance in prayer (Luke 18:1-8). Paul said to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thess 5:17). He told the Colossians to "continue steadfastly in prayer" (Col 4:2) and told Timothy that the first step in fighting the good fight (1 Tim 1:18) was "that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people" (1 Tim 2:1). It is all over Scripture, and it is a command. Pray! So ... pray.

While it is true that prayer does not change God's mind (Num 23:19; Mal 3:6), prayer does change things. He didn't exactly explain the mechanism(s), but Jesus said prayers will be answered (e.g., John 16:23-24; Mark 11:22-24; John 15:7; etc.). Scripture indicates that God uses our prayers as an impetus to accomplish His will (1 John 5:14-15). James said, "The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much" (James 5:16). We pray because we are commanded to pray and we pray because God says prayer is effective.

As if that's not enough, there is one more critical and, perhaps, most important reason for us to pray. Prayer is our communication with God. With prayer we open our hearts to Him. In prayer we pour out our deepest concerns (Php 4:6). In a sense it is just like any human connection; they are always better if there is communication. But one thing that this communication produces simply by existing is something we may not be conscious of. It makes us dependent. It prevents self-reliance. It is a tacit admission that "I am not sufficient." It puts us clearly in His hands knowing that we have no other options but to trust Him. And, given His faithfulness, there can be no better place to be. Another good reason to pray.