We pray to God for the following reasons:
- We pray to avoid falling into temptation. From the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus taught us to pray that we may not fall into temptation. Just before His arrest, Jesus tells His disciples to pray that they may not fall into temptation. God knows that we have the tendency to sin when we are tempted. That is why He asks us to pray that we may not fall in to temptation.
- We pray to authorize God to work on earth. God has the power to do whatever He wants but He is forbidden by His law to interfere with life on earth unless He is authorized by men. God relies on our prayers to get authority to do what He wants to do. This is what Jesus meant when He said we should pray that God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Therefore, as believers we are asked to pray to God so that we authorize Him to carry out His will in our lives, in our families and in our nations.
- We pray to obey God’s command. We were instructed by God to pray for one another. Jesus asked us to pray for those who persecute us. Apostle Paul instructed us to pray without ceasing. We break God’s command if we don’t pray.
- We pray to communicate with God. Prayer is a way that God allowed us to communicate to Him our feelings and wishes. Jesus asked God if it was possible for Him not to drink the cup of suffering. We too should pray to let God know our desires and wishes.
These are the four common reasons why we pray.