5 REASONS WHY IT IS GOOD FOR US TO PRAY

REASON 1
​Our prayers
help us ​grow
​closer to God.

At its core, praying is simply a conversation. Great communication leads to strong relationships.  ​Not talking is a poor strategy for developing a close relationship for many reasons. Unfortunately, sometimes we can be that type of “best friend” or “significant other” to God. Do you want to be closer to God? Talk to God! Pray.

REASON 2
​Our prayers
open us up
​to the needs
​of others.

​When we pray for others, our mind shifts from our own needs to their needs. Our prayers are like windows or doors through which God's spirit of love and compassion can enter our heart and mind. Do you wish to grow love and empathy? Pray.

REASON 3
Our prayers
help us gain
​perspective.

​Prayer opens the door to greater understanding of God, the world, and our place within it. Through prayer, we acknowledge a higher power than ourselves. Suddenly, we are no longer at the center of our universe. Do you wish to grow humility? Pray.

REASON 4
Our prayers
help us
grow in self-awareness.

Praying also allows us to confront areas of our life where we need help. When we pray, we bring our circumstances before the only one that can truly help us. When is your time of need? Now. Whether you are in a good place but need direction or things feel hopeless, remember that to God all things are possible. Have a tough question? Ask God!

And one more . . .

REASON 5
We can draw strength
​from our prayers.

Jesus prayed often. He prayed because he needed to be connected daily with God to accomplish his mission on earth. You may not be called to be nailed to a cross, but you are made to do great things. That will require strength. Just as Jesus drew strength from prayer to complete his mission on earth, so can you. Prayer can be a source of strength, wisdom, and guidance. Jesus prayed and encouraged us to pray.

“The function of prayer is not to influence God,
but rather to change the nature of the one who prays.”

Soren Kierkegaard, “An Occasional Discourse: On the Occasion of a Confession:
Purity of Heart is to Will One Thing,” part of his Upbuilding Discourses in Various Spirits
 
Lutheran theologian, philosopher, poet, and religious author, 1813-1855, Copenhagen, Denmark