Prayer is personal communication from us to God.
- But you probably already knew that
- "Can you narrow that down?"
Prayer isn't informing God of stuff.
"Your Father knows what you need before you ask him." Matthew 6:8
- But it is a reminder for you of all that you need and that He is your provider
Prayer isn't a theology test.
"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God." Romans 8:26-27
- But it is important to know your identity and purpose in God's plan so you can pray more effectively
Prayer is an expression of need.
"Answer me when I call to you, my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer." Psalm 4:1
"Hear me, Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy." Psalm 86:1
- In a world that teaches us to provide for ourselves and that offers many false provisions, prayer helps remind me of this truth - I need. And what I need can only finally be met through God's provision, even if he works through ordinary means to meet them.
Prayer is an expression of trust or faith.
"Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need." Luke 11:5-8
- In a world that wants proof and certainty for everything, prayer is an expression of faith in God who makes promises and commitments to us that we can't always see.
Prayer is an expression of hope.
"But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently." Romans 8:25
- Because it can be a reminder of the promises God makes and the blessings he gives, prayer is an expression of hope in the future God has for us.