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)

[bctt tweet=”How can we not long to know our Shepherd? #printable #psalm23 ” username=”lori_schumaker”]

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

1. draws us closer to God and others as it builds healthy strong relationships.
2. changes us giving us eyes to see the world differently.
3. changes circumstances as we open the road for God’s transforming power.
4. 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?

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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”]

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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!

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