Why Should I Pray?

If you’ve ever stood on the sidelines or participated in a marathon, you might have seen the “aid stations” set up along the route for runners to hydrate achy muscles, and refresh an overheated, tired body.

Prayer is like an “aid station” along the route of our day. Our days race by with a rush of to-dos. Prayer is a good slowing-down point to refresh our achy hearts and a tired mind.

Prayer is a space to let go of the burdens and lay down the question marks that slow us down. Prayer is an experience that leaves us light, calm, free, and encouraged.

If you’re signed up for a long race today, you might need to slow down for several “aid stations” along the way.

When we pour out petitions to our Almighty God, it’s like passing a baton of requests into his hands. Our shoulders feel a little lighter and our minds a little freer when we let go. By trusting our Provider, our Protector, our Redeemer with the burdens we’ve been carrying, prayer leaves us feeling confident, full of joy, and it reinstates our peace.

Another reason we should take time to pray is that we all need the spiritual discipline of letting God be God and asking for His help. Jesus wants this kind of relationship with us.

‘“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.’ Luke 11:9-10 NIV

This isn’t about getting our way or the answers to our questions, but about agreeing with Him, in a perfect, complete oneness. Paul urges us to devote ourselves to prayer, while James tells us to ‘Come near to God and he will come near to you.’ James 4:8 NIV

‘Let us then approach God’s 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 NIV

‘The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.’ Psalm 145:18 NIV

If this is the effect of prayer on our life, when do you feel is the best time to pray? Always.