Why Do We Pray?

Wednesday, February 8, ‎2023

Good morning, Lord

Verse of the Day: Matthew 5:43-45 New King James Version

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

Memory verse: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Readings: LEVITICUS 4-5 MATTHEW 24:29-51

Why Do We Pray?

Think about answering that question truthfully. Why do we pray? A simple answer of the multitudes might be , "So things will get better". Great answer, but that is not what the Bible says.

John 14:13-14

Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.

This verse does not say ask for our own sakes. It says ask, "...so the Father may be glorified in the son"

John 16:24 Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full.

This says to ask, "...so that your joy may be full".

Another says we pray so that we would bear fruit and that our fruit would remain.

John 15:16 You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.

Why do we really pray? Some pray for the healing of loved ones. Some pray for prosperity or advancement in earthly endeavors. Some pray for world peace...some pray for the government to legislate options against sin, i.e. anti-abortion laws. (Righteousness cannot be legislated.)

Matthew 5:43-45

“(Jesus said)"You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust."

This passage says, "...pray...that you may be sons and daughters of your Father in Heaven." This reminds us of what Romans 8:29 says, "29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters."

I believe the Bible teaches us to pray for all our daily bread-our needs, the needs for others, etc. But the real reason we should always have for our prayers is that we become more like our Heavenly Father in Christ Jesus-that He would become more and more and we become less.

This is a mindset that most of us do not embrace at times and I get it, me too. But this is a way of living and breathing and praying that we must learn. All our lives are for His glory, not our own.

Why? The Bible tells us so-because God's love for us is endless and He wants us to be like Him.

Practice His presence...

...because He loves us...

Father in Heaven,

Give me my daily bread for today so I may become more like You in Christ Jesus. Forgive me for not being aware of this and lead me in Your everlasting way.

Father of love and life eternal,

In the name of Christ Jesus my Lord,

Amen