Three Compelling Reason Christians Are Called to Pray

So many Christians are missing out on the potential blessings of prayer because they do not understand its power or purpose. So, today we will look at three reasons Christians should pray.

We receive God's peace through prayer.

Phil 4:6-7

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Through prayer and supplication, anxiousness is replaced with the peace of God that "surpasses all understanding". This peace transcends the naturalistic explanations of man and does not require the machinations of the world to be powerful or effective. It deals with the debilitating effects of worry, anxiousness, and fear. And it eliminates the need for coping strategies centered around drugs, sex, and endless entertainment.

Prayer is infinitely more than a conversation with God. While it does allow us to communicate with our Lord, the purpose and power of prayer expand beyond communication. Prayer gives you a decisive, unmatched advantage in situations of adversity because the peace of God stands as a guard over your heart and mind.

We receive God's provision through prayer

James 4:2-3

"You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.

James connects what we don't have to what we did not ask for, implying that God's provision often flows through prayerfulness. Then he attaches the effectiveness of prayer to the heart behind the prayer, suggesting that a prayer made from a place of sinfulness will not carry the same weight as one that aligns with God's will.

Prayer isnt a biblical suggestion. It's a command that allows you to move in God's provision and blessing. This command is not calling you to some mystical form of manifestation, where your words carry the power to shape reality. It's calling you to the humble submission of your requests to the sovereign God of all creation. In prayer, it is God's will, power, and Spirit in view. When you come before Him and pray, the scriptures teach that God will respond. And in that response, we will find God's provision for all our needs.

We imitate Christ through prayer

Mark 1:35

"And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed."

Luke 5:16

"But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray."

Matthew 14:23

"And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,"

Jesus would pray before preaching, after healing the sick, amid complex emotional challenges, and before and after performing mighty miracles.

In cultivating a habit of consistent prayer, you will be imitating one of the most consistent and prevalent practices of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Prayer provides you with an opportunity to be like Jesus, no matter your level of spiritual maturity or geographical location. It is easy to do and easy to neglect. And I doubt we can be everything God calls us to be without being prayerful in all we do.

Conclusion

Many of the problems you will face as a Christian cannot be overcome by the force of your will; they must be met with the power of God through prayer. Through prayer, God has given you the tools you need to overcome anxiety, live a life of fruitfulness, and be like Jesus ( the greatest person who has ever existed). Don't miss out on the life you could live because you chose to neglect the opportunity to pray.