Why is prayer important in your life?
In Part 2 we saw that mostly we pray to the Father in Jesus’ name, although sometimes we will pray to Jesus. Praying in Jesus name is a legal expression meaning we are praying on his behalf and there our prayer must reflect his will, character etc.
In Part 3 we now consider what is the importance of prayer in your life?
Prayer makes you feel connected with your creator and gives you a feeling of security that He's got your back and is always near you. Prayers help you stay grounded, have gratitude, and reminds you that you are a part of God’s family and living His values here on earth.
Some Christians describe prayer as a conversation with God.
In prayer, Christians lift their minds and hearts up to God.
"Our prayers may be awkward. Our attempts may be feeble. But since the power of prayer is in the one who hears it and not in the one who says it, our prayers do make a difference." - Max Lucado
According to the book of Ephesians, God's desire is for us to pray “on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests” (Ephesians 6:18).
Still, people are most motivated to pray when they need something from God. But what does the Bible say is the reason God wants us to pray?
There are many types or kinds of prayer, including these 5 main types.
1. Confession of sins; 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
"The Christian life is not a constant high. I have my moments of deep discouragement. I have to go to God in prayer with tears in my eyes, and say, 'O God, forgive me,' or 'Help me.'" - Billy Graham.
2. Praise This where we acknowledge the Lord for who he is (many times in the psalms)
3. Thanksgiving This is where thank God for all that he has done including his provision, protection etc.
4. Intercession This is where pray for the needs of other people and it can be for an individual, a family or even a nation.
5. Petition This prayer is for the things we need in life. Philippians 4:6 instructs us to ‘not be anxious about anything but to give thanks for everything and through prayer and petitions make your requests known to God.’
Jesus used all these types of prayer (bar one) and we ought to have a balance in all the types of prayer we may use.
"Rather than set aside daily time for prayer, I pray constantly and spontaneously about everything I encounter daily. When someone shares something with me, I will often simply say, 'let us pray about this right now.'" - Thomas Kinkade
Amen
Make your own Closing Prayer
"Prayer should not be regarded as a duty which must be performed, but rather as a privilege to be enjoyed, a rare delight that is always revealing some new beauty." - E.M. Bounds
Resources consulted for this study; Pete Greig How to pray: A simple guide for normal people R Price audio teachings BBS097 and BBS098 (see additional resources section of this website). E M Bounds The complete collection on Prayer.
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