Why should we expend the energy to pray?
I found there are several reasons – but the first is all
we really need to know. God has told us to pray. It is a commandment, and if we love Him, we obey
His commands.
But there is a second reason: We pray because Jesus prayed.
Sometimes people will say the only reason for prayer is that we need to be changed. Yes, we do need to change, but that's not the
only reason to pray. Jesus didn't need
to be changed or be made more holy. When
He prayed He was communing with His Father.
He thanked God. He praised Him. He asked for things. He requested power. He prayed on behalf of others. He asked that the devil be bridled. He asked His Father to prevent what was about
to take place. He made clear His own
will. He prayed as though His petitions
had a definite effect on God's design.
In light of God's clear commands and our Lord's
unmistakable example, it's obvious we believers "should always pray and
never give up" (Luke 18:1). God
does not want us to shrug our shoulders, shuffle our feet, and mutter, "Que sera, sera, whatever will be,
will be." On the contrary,
Scripture makes it plain that we are involved
with this life of ours -- and the lives of others as well. Certain things simply will not happen… unless
we pray.
-- Joni Earkeckson Tada in Glorious Intruder
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