The Importance of Prayer
Six Reasons Prayer is Important
Today is National Day of Prayer and we pause to not only pray but understand the meaning behind it. This day provides a nation-wide opportunity to humbly come before God, seek His guidance for our leaders and His blessings upon our country.
We hope that if you don’t currently incorporate prayer into your daily life, we’d like to encourage you with six reasons why prayer is important:
1.) It shows obedience
Prayer isn’t just a suggestion. It’s mentioned in over 130 verses throughout the Bible so there’s a huge emphasis on the importance of having a hearty prayer life.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
2.)It’s communication
Have you ever been in a one-way conversation? It feels lonely! Imagine what God must feel like when we only come to Him once every few weeks, months, or even years.
We’ve been communicating with God since Adam and Eve in the garden, so it’s always been a part of our relationship with Him as humans. He wants to hear us, talk to us, and listen to what we have to say. Sure, He knows everything but He delights in listening to us.
3.) It’s our way of expressing our desires
If you have kids, you know how awesome it is when you can bless your child. God feels the same way! He wants to know our dreams, big and small.
The Bible is clear in Psalm 37:4 “Delight yourselves in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.”
4.) It allows us to change our hearts
When we take our thoughts (which can often spiral) out of our own minds and put them into prayer, our problems often seem different in the light of God’s love. Praying about situations, whether good or bad, allows us to begin seeing the world through God’s eyes.
Not only that but we gain a better heart posture to approach our lives.
5.) It grows our confidence
You’ve heard those lines in the movies: “God, I know we haven’t spoken in a while but if you could just…” That’s not an optimistic line. It’s almost sheepish! We are the children of the God of the universe and we ought to have confidence when approaching Him in prayer.
Hebrews 4:16 says “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
6.) It keeps anxiety at bay
Talking about your worries with you family and friends is awesome, but why not talk to the one who can really do something about those worries?! Our confidence as Christians is that we are seen, heard, and known. No matter what burdens our hearts, we can find rest and peace in knowing that we’ve laid them down at God’s feet.
Remember the scripture Phillipians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."