Outstanding! Thank you! And this brought to mind a wise observation (from Dr James Dobson, if I recall correctly) that we shouldn’t wait to “feel” our way to an action, but we should instead act our way to a feeling. Jesus said if we love Him, we will obey him. So if we say we love God, then we should act like it and pray continuously (carry on a conversation) knowing the feelings of love will follow.
Oswald Chambers said this about prayer: "Prayer does not prepare us for greater works; prayer is the greater work." I believe he had in mind all the excellent reasons you share here. Thank you for the encouragement.
Good list, Kate. Jesus' primary purpose for his praying was fellowship with his Father. That's a pretty good reason for us, too. Need, yes, duty also, but to commune with Him, from love for him and time with him. Fathers love to hear from their sons and daughters, not only when they have a need!
Well, the # 1 reason to pray has been mentioned in the scripture.
John 4:22-23 says
23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
We all need to pray or worship him in Spirit and Truth and for that we need to know the truth so that it sets us free. People beg, cry and whine about their problems to God and that's not how he wants us to worship him.
Outstanding! Thank you! And this brought to mind a wise observation (from Dr James Dobson, if I recall correctly) that we shouldn’t wait to “feel” our way to an action, but we should instead act our way to a feeling. Jesus said if we love Him, we will obey him. So if we say we love God, then we should act like it and pray continuously (carry on a conversation) knowing the feelings of love will follow.
great comments, thank you for contributing to the conversation!
Oswald Chambers said this about prayer: "Prayer does not prepare us for greater works; prayer is the greater work." I believe he had in mind all the excellent reasons you share here. Thank you for the encouragement.
I love the quote from Oswald Chambers, thank you for reading and making the comment!
Good list, Kate. Jesus' primary purpose for his praying was fellowship with his Father. That's a pretty good reason for us, too. Need, yes, duty also, but to commune with Him, from love for him and time with him. Fathers love to hear from their sons and daughters, not only when they have a need!
You seem to be saying most of what I think are reasons for prayer.
But I would say it a bit differently.
I would say that the number one reason for praying is because Jesus demonstrated for us just how important it is.
I would say the second reason is probably that God loves us and wants to develop a relationship with us.
I would say the third reason is that we don’t really love God and we need to learn how.
This is excellent Bob. Thank you for taking the time to write out a great comment. I love getting other's insights on the subject.
Well, the # 1 reason to pray has been mentioned in the scripture.
John 4:22-23 says
23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
We all need to pray or worship him in Spirit and Truth and for that we need to know the truth so that it sets us free. People beg, cry and whine about their problems to God and that's not how he wants us to worship him.
Too often, I think we view prayer as a "gimme, gimme, gimme" session.
We need to re-evaluate what prayer is really for.