Why Pray?

"pray continually." 1 Thessalonians 5:17

God commands us to pray (see also: Colossians 4:2). That is the only reason we need. But He did not stop with giving a command. He has given us more, literally dozens of more reasons to pray.

To heal the land

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14

To receive direction for daily life

"To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long." Psalm 25:1, 4-5

"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul." Psalms 143:8

For deliverance from trouble

"The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles." Psalms 34:17

To open our eyes to see wonderful things in God’s word

"Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law." Psalms 119:18

God is delighted

"The Lord detests the sacrifices of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him." Proverbs 15:8

To receive mercy

"He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy." Proverbs 28:13

"Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Hebrews 4:16

To receive rewards

"But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." Matthew 6:6

To provide workers for Christian ministry

"Then he said to his disciples, ’The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.’" Matthew 9:37-38

To follow the example of Jesus

"Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, ’Sit here while I go over there and pray.’" Matthew 26:36

"Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed." Mark 1:35

"One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God." Luke 6:12

Matthew 14:23; Mark 6:46; 14:32; Luke 5:16; 9:28; 11:1; 22:31-32; 22:41-15; John 11:41-42; 14:16; Hebrews 5:7

To cast out demons

"He replied, ’This kind come out only by prayer." Mark 9:29

To receive the Holy Spirit’s power

"If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" Luke 11:13

"After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly." Acts 4:31

To bear fruit

"If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given to you. This is my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love." John 15:7-9

To receive joy

"Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete." John 16:24

To be a witness

"About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them." Acts 16:25

To be saved

"for, ’Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’" Romans 10:13

To glorify God

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31

To influence other people’s lives

"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." Ephesians 6:18

"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone." 1 Timothy 2:1

To receive peace

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philipians 4:6-7