What is prayer and why should we do it? It is nothing less than breathing out the soul’s most innermost needs into the ear of our loving Heavenly Father. It is the language of our hearts, and it is not confined to mere words. To have the ear of Almighty God is not only a glorious privilege, but also a vital line of communication with our Creator.
When hearts are overburdened with care and the darkness of despair threatens to consume our very being, we must remember that He is there. A Christian needs prayer as much as he needs food and water to survive. Prayer can be offered anywhere, not just in one place – eyes open or closed, hands folded or not. The important factor is that we understand our supplications are going to the same God who delivered Daniel from the lion’s den and David from his foes. The great King of the Universe who heard the saints of old hears us, too. The knowledge of this should fill us with confidence and lift our spirits.
Prayer can be improved, and, like any skill, practice makes perfect. It must always be trustful and submissive, never arrogant and demanding. There are two occasions in the Holy Bible where we read of disciples asking their leaders how to pray. In Luke 11:1, we read, “And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.” Jesus, in His Sermon on the Mount, taught, “When ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking” (Matthew 6:7).
Now, prayer was not intended to be repeated over and over. When a prayer is prayed, it is heard and answered. We may wonder if it is answered when we don’t get the answer we want, but God, as any loving parent has the right, knowing the outcome, sometimes says, “No” or “Wait awhile.” We must trust His decisions and take comfort in the sure knowledge that He sees what we do not.
It is interesting how in Scripture we are given encouragements to pray. For example: “Thou shalt make thy prayer unto him, and he shall hear thee, And thou shalt pay thy vows” (Job 22:27). “For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem: thou shalt weep no more: he will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when he shall hear it, he will answer thee” (Isaiah 30:19).
We find many prayers recorded in the Bible and shared with us for our learning. These are given for our encouragement and as patterns to follow. We need only note the examples of Abraham, his servant Eliezer, Gideon and King David through his many Psalms to see God’s faithful answering of heartfelt prayer. In Isaiah 40:31, the prophet wrote, “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Prayer is the foundation on which our faith grows. It is powerful and ever needful in a world full of the darkest spiritual powers that seek to harm our souls. It is no wonder that Peter advised us to “cast all our cares upon him” (1 Peter 5:7). It is a guide and a framework that can be used to model our prayers, to make them as effective as we can.
Remember, God already knows our needs. He hears our innermost groans (Romans 8:26) and provides the comfort of that wonderful privilege of calling the Sovereign of all things, “Father.” Paul wrote in Philippians 4:6, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” In the light of this by no means exhaustive study on the issue of prayer, why not lay your fears, tears and concerns at the feet of God on His throne? He loves us, and, in that knowledge, we may find the rest and peace that our Holy God wants to give us. This is why we pray.
