It is my belief that most of us misunderstand the purpose of prayer. If it’s only to get your way, you’re most times going be disappointed. And if you believe that God already knows everything that’s going to happen anyway, then why should I pray? What good would that do? See, it’s not so much about always getting; it’s more about a relationship. There is nothing more intimate with the Lord of creation and his created beings, you and me, than prayer. Communing with the living God! Pause and think about that. We simply need it as his children, his treasured possession.
“O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it all together. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it” (Psa.139.1-4).
We certainly will never be able to attain it because his thoughts are higher than our thoughts and his ways are higher than our ways, but prayer allows us to pursue it, to get in on the inside and get a close-up view of who he is and what his plan is for our life as well as others. You and I don’t know what’s going to happen in the next second, what’s around the corner, over the hill, what decisions to make. So much more! But prayer provides faith and hope to be able to move out victoriously even without knowing for sure the outcome of these things. It provides us with confidence in our Lord. And our prayers become ‘talking with him, not just to him’.
This is where faith comes in. “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11.1). And our prayers must be bathed in faith to be heard. “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him” (Vs. 6).
We must understand and believe that Jesus is our Intercessor, seated at the right hand of the Father. He faced what you and I face every day while he was here on earth. If he prayed, then we must also, with believing faith. Not wishful thinking that he will do everything that we ask, but assurance that he understands and will answer our prayers at the right time and in the way that will glorify him and bless you/us and others. “In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who is able to save him from death and he was heard because of his reverence. Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek” (Heb. 5.7-10). Trust him, he hears, and intercedes!
I have found that over time, you learn to recognize his voice as he speaks to you. It may not be audible, but you know it’s him. Prayer is used by God to transform our hearts so that having a request fulfilled becomes secondary to feeling truly known by God and precious to him.
So, why pray? Because it is where everything begins and ends. So, pray we shall!! Right?