Ever Interceding

WHY PRAY?

BY DIANA BROWN

I was asked by a friend, “Why do we pray, as God knows it all?”

That is a great question—because not only does the Lord know us, but He knows us each on a deeply intimate level.

O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether (Psalm 139:1-4 ESV).

God knows everything, yet He answers according to His will and His glory. Prayer encompasses so much. I am reminded of C.S. Lewis’ saying—”[Prayer] doesn’t change God. It changes me.”

YOU DO NOT HAVE, BECAUSE YOU DO NOT ASK. (James 4:2 ESV)

Prayer is communicating with the Lord. He communicates with us as we read His Word, and we communicate as we pray. It is so simple, yet it is so deeply profound. Prayer is a two-way street. To pray is to sit at His feet and allow Him to pour into us. It is crucial for us to be EVER INTERCEDING!

Please read and contemplate this list of why God is calling you to pray. This is not an exhaustive list, but I hope it will whet your appetite and possibly even encourage you to do some studying on prayer.

Let’s explore the Word together on why pray:

1. Jesus is our example. He sought His Father through prayer.

Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray” (Matthew 26:36 ESV).

Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them (Hebrews 7:25 ESV).

Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples” (Luke 11:1 ESV).

2. Jesus recognized the need to give thanks to the Father.

Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds (Matthew 14:19 ESV).

3. We owe God our thanks, too.

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen (Jude 24-25 ESV).

4. Prayer is a command.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV).

5. Prayer has power.

The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working (James 5:16b ESV).

6. Prayer shows our dependence on our God, who is all-sufficient.

Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me (2 Corinthians 12:8-9 ESV).

7. God calls us to pray.

And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart (Luke 18:1 ESV).

8. God is waiting to act on behalf of our prayer.

If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples (John 15:7-8 ESV).

9. Prayer demonstrates our faith. (Our ministry verse-)

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us (Ephesians 3:20 ESV).

10. God fights on our behalf in answer to our prayer.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm (Ephesians 6:10-13 ESV).

11. Whatever our prayer, we can rest assured we have a high priest in heaven (Jesus) who hears it.

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15 ESV).

12. Jesus, our high priest, understands how we’re feeling. Therefore, we can come with confidence to His throne.

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16 ESV).

The Scriptures not only encourage us to pray, but they also point out the many different ways we can come to God in prayer.

1. Pray to alleviate anxiety and worry.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God (Philippians 4:6 ESV).

2. Pray for one another:

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working (James 5:16 ESV).

3. Pray for strength.

Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints (Ephesians 6:18 ESV).

4. Pray to support the ministry of others.

At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison (Colossians 4:3 ESV).

So why should we pray? Perhaps the best reasons are that Jesus told us to, and the world needs it. Jesus Himself encouraged His disciples and followers “always to pray and not lose heart” (Luke 18:1 ESV). And if Jesus, our ultimate example, made time to be ever interceding, we can be certain that it’s also valuable for us.

We can never go wrong following Jesus, especially when it means spending time in prayer with our Heavenly Father. May we be people known to be intercessors for the sake of the kingdom and each other, in Jesus’ name!

Your turn:

How has prayer changed you? How have you seen the Lord work in through your prayer life? Why do you pray or not pray? Please share with us. We at Women World Leaders love hearing your stories! Reach out via email: Diana@womenworldleaders.com

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God (Philippians 4:6 ESV)