If you have been a Christian for some time, chances are you have been asked this question: “Why pray if God already knows everything?” Or maybe, “Why pray if God already has determined the outcome?” If we believe that God is omniscient, then what difference does our prayer really make?
Looking at Scripture, we see the best example of why we pray, and also find encouragement that the Maker of Heaven and Earth prays on our behalf.
The One Word Answer
The joke in every church is that the answer to every question in Sunday School or Bible study is: “Jesus.”
And yes, that is the correct answer, but in order to be prepared as a Christ-follower, we need to have biblical back-up.
Green Eggs & Prayer
Jesus prayed on a mountain, in a boat, with friends, and probably with a goat. He prayed about a fig tree and definitely prayed for you and me.
Silly rhymes aside- you get the point: JESUS WAS ABOUT PRAYER.
The Bible says: “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed” (NIV, Luke 5:16)
On Earth, Jesus prayed like His life depended on it, and His followers should do likewise!
When Jesus’ disciples asked Him how to pray, He gave an example in the Lord’s Prayer (Our Father). His prayers served as a model to us on how to pray “without ceasing” and with “thanksgiving.”
Jesus Knew the Plan, and Still Prayed
Jesus foreknew His fate on the cross. He is the Planner. Yet, He still prayed to His Father.
On the Mount of Olives, prior to His arrest, Jesus prayed:
42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” (Luke 22:42)
A breakdown of instances of where we see Jesus praying can be seen here.
Jesus is STILL Praying… For Us!
He is God. And yet, He still prayed. And prays still! Did you know that Jesus prays for us? (And so does the Holy Spirit)
Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was [a]raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. (Romans 8:34)
What Are Some Reasons for Why We Should Pray?
Again, we can look to Jesus and the saints before us in the Bible to see why we should pray. This list is not exhaustive:
- For our daily needs. See the Lord’s Prayer.
- To be delivered from temptation. Jesus taught us to pray against temptation. I wonder if our Christian leaders did this more often, would we see as much scandals in the church? Our Father.
- For protection. A great place to see this in action is in Psalms. David prayed for protection lot; he found refuge in the shelter of God’s metaphorical wings and so can we!
- To foster and grow in our relationship with God. See the High Priestly Prayer in John 17.
- To show our gratitude to the Father. Fun fact: our brains cannot be anxious and grateful at the same time! Here is a verse that shows God planned it this way!
- To align our will with the Lord’s. Here is a personal story of will alignment.
The Greatest Reason of All to Pray?
What then is the best reason to pray: to be like Christ? This is our end goal as believers. If it was so important for Jesus to commune with the Father through prayer, then isn’t that reason enough?
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