Why Do We Pray? And Other Big Questions!
My mom would sit alongside me as I lay tucked in my bed. Each night she would pull out one of my two favorite children’s Bibles and with her beautiful German accent, read a story to me. Then, together we would pray the Children’s Prayer.
Now I lay me down to sleep.
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
Guard me Jesus through the night and
Wake me with the morning light.
Then we would close thanking God for our blessings and asking Him to care for those we love and those who are hurting.
It’s a memory I hold close. One that fills my heart and reminds me of all that is right in the world.
[bctt tweet=”What memories remind you of all that is right in the world? #whydowepray #psalm23 #momentsofhope” username=”lori_schumaker”]I believe that is one of the reasons why He commanded us to pray. He knew that when we prayed together, our hearts would be lifted, relationships bonded, and memories made all in His name and for His glory.
Last weekend I spent time in the presence of some of my dearest friends.
I met them a few years ago when I began blogging. Our friendships started online, but for the second time in two years we met retreat style in Denver. Over the weekend, we bounced ideas off one another and encouraged each other. We laughed, cried, and talked long long talks. But most of all we prayed for one another. Even when we aren’t in person, we do the same thing. The prayer is at the center of it all. It’s the glue God uses to knit us together.
Prayer builds relationships. It pulls down walls and it covers us in the love of Christ.
[bctt tweet=”Prayer builds relationships. It pulls down walls and it covers us in the love of Christ. | The Lord is My Shepherd #prayer #momentsofhope” username=”lori_schumaker”]Psalm 23 is a passage in the Bible many of us may recognize. It is one we turn to in time of need and one that gives us comfort and hope. But today I want us to look at it in terms of prayer.
Psalm 23 – The Lord is My Shepherd
The Eternal is my shepherd, He cares for me always. He provides me rest in rich, green fields beside streams of refreshing water. He soothes my fears; He makes me whole again, steering me off worn, hard paths to roads where truth and righteousness echo His name. Even in the unending shadows of death’s darkness, I am not overcome by fear. Because You are with me in those dark moments, near with Your protection and guidance, I am comforted. You spread out a table before me, provisions in the midst of attack from my enemies; You care for all my needs, anointing my head with soothing, fragrant oil, filling my cup again and again with Your grace. Certainly Your faithful protection and loving provision will pursue me where I go, always, everywhere. I will always be with the Eternal, in Your house forever. -Psalm 23 (VOICE)
I chose The Voice version of the 23rd Psalm because of its intimate tone of conversation. (Although, it doesn’t start with the words so many of us know … The Lord is my Shepherd, and I do miss that!)
But, as we read these words, how can we not want to know our Shepherd? How can we not want to know the One who makes us whole again? The One who steers us off worn and hard paths to roads of truth and righteousness? The One who is with us providing comfort, protection, guidance, and a way through our fears?
And then I ask …
If we long to know Him, how can we not talk to Him?
Talking – communicating is the way in which we connect with others. And it is no different with our Savior. If we long to know Him, we must communicate with Him. And prayer is just that.
Prayer is talking with God.
It is getting to know Him.
It’s authentically revealing our thoughts and feelings even when they aren’t pretty and wrapped up neatly with a bow.
Sometimes we question the why of prayer because we believe God already knows all that will come to pass. He does. He is all-knowing – omniscient. Yet our omniscient Father longs for us to connect with Him in prayer. And friends, it’s a controversial and tougher topic to address that I have the time for here in this post, but our prayers do matter and they do change things. They change us. They change the world.
I love this quote by Watchman Nee.
“Our prayers lay the track down which Gods power can come. Like a mighty locomotive, his power is irresistible, but it cannot reach us without rails.” ~ Watchman Nee
So, friends, if you are wondering why we pray, it’s because prayer
- draws us closer to God and others as it builds healthy strong relationships.
- changes us giving us eyes to see the world differently.
- changes circumstances as we open the road for God’s transforming power.
- ultimately changes the world.
If we are living in the will of God, building healthy relationships with God and others, loving well, and accessing His transforming power, how can the world not be changed into a better place for all?
The Way We Pray Series
If you have more questions about prayer, just jump on over to any of my other posts on prayer. This is the last in mini-series title The Way We Pray. However, you can find more on prayer in the series titled Revive Your Life With the Power of Prayer.
[bctt tweet=”Join us for the series The Way We Pray | Develop confidence and grow deeper in your prayer life. #prayer #godslove #momentsofhope” username=”lori_schumaker”]Did you know that when you subscribe to receiving our occasional updates and inspiration, you get full access to the resource-filled Library of Hope? It’s full of things like printable journals, prayers, and Scripture cards. And all of it is free. They are resources I pray can help you as you navigate through the challenges of life.
My Recommended Resources
Finally, just in case you are looking for more resources on prayer, I have an influencer storefront on Amazon where you can find some of my favorite products. As you can guess, most are books! Any of the items listed there are ones I personally recommend. You can find me right here!
Hey Lori, I just love that story about you and your mom. What a beautiful memory. I know you had such a love for her. It’s a reminder of how important it is for moms to have a daily habit of praying for their kids. And I just love that picture of the group prayer. Thank God for sweet Christian fellowship. Thanks for hosting!
My mama sure a sweet gift ♥ Thanks for joining me here and sharing hope with me!
Sometimes I wonder how I lose track. I know how important prayer is and what a beautiful, intimate gift it is. Yet still I find myself shooting off one-liners to God instead of spending time with Him.
I am grateful for the reminder of the holy intimacy of prayer today!
Isn’t it easy to lose track, though? I feel ya, friend!
Prayer is always my growth point in this following life, so thanks for words of encouragement, Lori!
Amen, Michele ♥
This is such a wonderful post, Lori. The memory you shared with your mom is precious. Watchman Nee has long been a favorite of mine so the quote spoke deeply and I am writing it down to save. Thank you for sharing it! I am always blessed for having joined you each week!
And I am so blessed by your visits, Joanne! Thank you for always being such an encouragement. ♥
I love that you ladies met up and spent time encouraging each other and just being with each other in person! That sounds like such a wonderful time! I also love your point about prayer being a way to open our eyes to new perspectives. That’s such an important reminder as I pray not just for what’s on my prayer “list,” but also for God to give me eyes to see His will!
These ladies have been such a gift. My prayer is that each of my writer friends build a tribe like these women! I wish I knew how to make it happen for all because it is such a precious gift. Thank you so much for joining me here, Emily! You are such a treasure!
Ah, I remember this prayer in my home growing up also. I like to think it was a seed planted that grew and helped direct my heart toward God at a young age. Great post to reinforce the benefits both earthly and eternal!
My thoughts exactly, Crystal ♥ I know my mom help plant those seeds that today have grown my faith significantly!
Lori you are so right. Prayer bonds us to God and others. I think of times when people have prayed aloud with me. For me. And I for them. It is hard to describe what happens and how it knits the two of us together. Thanks for this beautiful reminder to pray more.
You are so welcome, my friend. Thank you – your words are a blessing!
Hi Lori,
Yes, always my first go to for every situation in my life, I love chatting with my Lord! And the power of prayer is astounding.
Our little ladies prayer group here in my corner of the world, has witnessed two people (we were holding up in prayer) healed from serious life threatening cancers in the last twelve months! We have a gracious & powerful God! 😀
Jennifer
Hallelujah! What a joy to witness these healings! Thank you so much for sharing this with me ♥
Lori,
FIrst of all…this post!!! If you only knew how timely it is in my life. Thank you!!!
Secondly, thank you so much for featuring my story of “Letting Go and Letting God”. I am completely honored!!! Thank you!!!
It is my honor to share your post! You are a blessing, Emily! ♥
Oh how I wish I could have been with you on your retreat! Sounds just perfect. After being out of writing for some time…I’m so happy to see that you are still here and still blogging Lori! Grateful that you are still spreading hope along the way. I just put up a post on your link. It’s somewhat different from the usual… but hey my life is rather different now too! I hope that its still ok to post here. x
Much love
Jade
Jade! I am sooooo glad to see you back here! I think of you often and pray for you. You have a place in my heart ♥ I am looking forward to catching up on your life. I pray you are doing well and that God has reached is revealing beauty in your everyday. Much love, Lori
Lori, This is such a good article. I’ll be sharing it all over! I loved the quote from Watchman Nee!