Why Should We Pray?

Does prayer change the way things happen? Knowing that God is sovereign, one might be able to say that prayer does not change anything. Ephesians 1:11 tells us: "In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will," It is plainly apparent that God will accomplish His purposes no matter what, so how does it matter whether we pray or not?

It matters because God is sovereign, and though mysterious to us, it is inescapable that mankind and his actions are used in God's plan. In the beauty of His mysterious plan, it is God's choice to use our prayers. James tells us in chapter 5 of his epistle that, "The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." Ephesians 1:11 and verses like James 5:16 may appear at first reading to be antinomic, but they are equally valid. Only our finite ability to understand them makes them seem contradictory in any way, so in fact, prayer does change the way things can turn out.

Because God has chosen to use our prayers to accomplish His purposes, He intervenes for us when we pray according to His will. As well, prayer is an indication of our faith, and of our dependence on Him, and as Ephesians 1:12 goes on to say, "that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory." That's something to think about when we are asking for things of God. Our prayers are to bring glory to Him.

Another very important aspect of prayer is the impact that it can have on our own hearts, and on our own lives as God-glorifying prayer is used by Him to transform us along the way, conforming us to the image of His Son. Prayer is not just a thing that we do, but it is also a "place" if you will. It is an intimate place, where one seeks fellowship with God. It is through prayer too, that growth takes place, as we learn more of Him, and as we ask, and keep asking, seek and keep seeking, and knock at the very door of God's heart.

"When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek." Psalm 27:8