Why We Pray?
Episode 2
What is Prayer?
Prayer, as often described, is “talking to God.” I do not hate this definition; in fact, I see it as extremely useful because it focuses on the two people who are involved in the process of prayer. You and God.
However, when we look into scripture, there are undoubtedly layers of complexity under that statement, no matter how true.
What does talking even mean?
This is Copilot’s two cents: Talking, at its most basic, means using words, sounds, or expressions to communicate with others.
What do you talk to God about? How do you talk to God? When an interviewer has a conversation with a guest, they are talking, but they are probably both prepared. The lights are on, and there are microphones. There is preparation beforehand. This is talking. The conversation has a purpose.
There is also the way you talk to your parents and elders, a certain tone of respect you endow them with because of who they are.
Then, there is the sometimes careless and jokey way we talk to our siblings and friends. It is playful, warm and carefree. Without judgment, I hope.
So, when people talk about prayer in this way, they fail to fully encapsulate who he is in their very joyous way of telling you that Prayer is talking to God.
We often forget that the world is full of diversity with different personalities, and talking is not easy for some people. We have our quirks and issues, and this will impact our ability to communicate and be vulnerable.
So how do you talk to God?
Well, you have to simply start. God has already started the conversation (your belief in the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ that can only be made possible through his Holy Spirit), now you need to continue it, follow up, and answer his questions. How do we know God is interested in who we are?
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. [12] Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. [13] And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:11-13).
Even more, you talk to God the way you know how. Perhaps words are too heavy right now, and you’ve been enjoying running away in your dreams and imagination; you can talk to him there, too. You can read his words and converse with him about his decisions, as evident in the Bible. You can look at his friendship with others, maybe a friend close to you or Moses in the Bible. If you write, this can be another way to communicate with God, too; journaling, song, voice memos, pictures, drawings.
Maybe you prefer songs, so put on a gospel song or let the Spirit of God in you direct you and let it speak to you, and as you sing, you speak back.
God inhabits the praises of his people. He is enthroned by our praises.
”But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.” (Psalm 22:3).
Talking to God is important, and words are important, but we don’t always have the right ones or any at all. It’s in these moments that you must remember that you and God can decide how best you want to communicate.
And you only get to this point when you consistently show interest in the things of God. You show interest in his word, in scripture, in his people and his works. You glorify him. When you want to engage a person in conversation, it’s best it is not all about you, all the time. Give some room for God, too. It’s why I didn’t start with telling you to simply speak your mind, not that you shouldn’t, but because at some point, you have to grow from that and decide to be interested in who God is. It’s the only way to sustain a relationship, and although you can do none of it by yourself, except with the help of the Holy Spirit, your willingness to do so is most important.
God requires us to be wholly vulnerable eventually, and the starting point does not have to be perfect.
Reasons we pray
We pray because we want to be seen. We see the psalmist in his psalms, making continuous praises and laments because he wanted to be seen.
”Why do You stand afar off, O Lord? Why do you hide in times of trouble? (Psam 10:1).
We pray because it is a way to lament.
“Therefore I will not restrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.” (Job 7:11 NKJV)
We pray because communication with God is non-negotiable.
“Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17 NKJV)
We pray because this is how we grow spiritually.
“But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit.” (Jude 1:20 NKJV)
We pray because we have needs and wants that only God can answer.
“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19 NKJV)
We pray so that we can be made more dependent on God.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5 NKJV)
We pray so that we can remind ourselves of who sees us when no one else does. He is El roi.
“Then she called the name of the LORD who spoke to her, You-Are-the-God-Who-Sees; for she said, ‘Have I also here seen Him who sees me?’” (Genesis 16:13 NKJV)
(Hagar names God “El Roi”—the God who sees.)
We pray because we can do nothing without God.
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5 NKJV)
“Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,” says the LORD of hosts. (Zechariah 4:6 NKJV)
“Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God.” (2 Corinthians 3:5 NKJV)
We pray because it is a way to give all the glory to God.
This is why the Lord’s prayer in Matthew 6 starts and ends with God.
“For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” (Matthew 6:13b NKJV )
With God’s Love,
Moniyeoluwa