what is prayer and why should we pray

prayer meaning

a solemn request for help or expression of thanks addressed to God or an object of worship

(wikipedia)

questions most often asked about prayer is: --Why should we pray when God already knows our needs?
--Why tell God what He already knows or ask Him to do what He already wants to do?

Before praying you have to understand this

• We don't pray to impress God.
We're not heard for our "much-speaking." You don't have to use clear language or be an proffesional prayer. If an earthly child can speak to an earthly father, you can speak to your Heavenly Father.

• We don't pray to inform God.
You can't tell God anything He doesn't know.

so why are we praying?

THE main reason we pray i that we play to invite GOD into our lives and tell him to take control our lives.

Other reason we pray are as follows
1. God's Word needs Us to Pray
One key reason to pray is because God has commanded us to pray.
"Pray for those who persecute you"

–Matthew 5:44

"And when you pray …"

–Matthew 6:5

"This, then, is how you should pray …"

–Matthew 6:9

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."

–Romans 12:12

"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests."

–Ephesians 6:18

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

–Philippians 4:6

"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful."

–Colossians 4:2

"Pray continually"

-1 Thessalonians 5:17

"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone …"

-1 Timothy 2:1

2. Even Jesus Prayed
Why did Jesus pray? One reason he prayed was as an example so that we could learn from him.

"After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray."

–Matthew 14:23

"Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, 'Sit here while I go over there and pray.'"

–Matthew 26:36

"Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed."

–Mark 1:35

"But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed."

–Luke 5:16

"One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God."

–Luke 6:12

"Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up."

–Luke 18:1

3. TO Communicate with God

" … if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

-2 Chronicles 7:14

Isaiah wrote, "He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint"

(Isaiah 40:29-31).

"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

Hebrews 4:15-16

4. Prayer Gives us Power Over Evil

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms"