Prayer is a vital part of the Christian life. The Bible encourages us to pray constantly (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and about everything (Philippians 4:6). Here are some key reasons why Christians should make prayer a regular habit.
1. Prayer deepens our relationship with God
Prayer allows us to develop intimacy with God. Through prayer we communicate with our Creator, sharing our hearts, thoughts, pains, and requests. Like any relationship, communication is essential for growth. The more we talk to God, the closer we feel to Him (Jeremiah 29:12-13). Prayer draws us near to the Lord and aligns our will with His (Luke 22:42).
2. Prayer gives us access to God’s power
God invites us to ask Him for anything in prayer (John 14:13-14). When we pray, we unleash the limitless power of God to work in our lives and world. Scripture reassures us that the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective (James 5:16). God can do the impossible when we seek Him in prayer (Luke 1:37). Praying taps us into the supernatural strength of the Almighty God.
3. Prayer defeats the enemy
Our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against demonic forces (Ephesians 6:12). Prayer arms us for victory against the enemy. When we pray, we involve God in the fight. Jesus gave his disciples authority to drive out evil spirits through prayer (Mark 9:29). Believers today also wield spiritual authority through prayer to push back the powers of darkness (Luke 10:19). Consistent prayer keeps Satan at bay.
4. Prayer changes circumstances
Prayer can alter situations and turn them around. James 5:16 declares, “…The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” God hears and answers prayer according to His perfect will. Throughout Scripture, we read examples of God changing circumstances in response to prayer. Hezekiah was granted an extended life after pleading with God in prayer (2 Kings 20:1-6). The early church prayed for Peter’s release from prison, and God miraculously delivered him (Acts 12:5-17). Prayer moves God’s mighty hand.
5. Prayer brings healing
The Bible instructs believers to pray for healing from sickness (James 5:14-15). God still heals in answer to prayer today. Testimonies abound of people being healed of terminal diseases, emotional trauma, depression, and more through prayer. Praying for healing activates God’s supernatural power for restoration. Jesus often healed the sick when people approached Him in faith and petition (Matthew 8:5-13). As we pray for others, God brings healing.
6. Prayer unleashes God’s provision
God promises to supply all our needs when we seek His kingdom (Matthew 6:33). Part of that supply comes through prayer. Scripture urges us to cast all our cares on God because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). When we pray instead of worrying, God faithfully meets needs. Financial blessings, open doors, resources, and favor come when we humbly request God’s provision. He supplies what we lack when we ask in prayer (Philippians 4:19).
7. Prayer activates God’s protection
Prayer secures God’s hedge of protection around us. We can call on the angels to guard us in times of danger (Psalm 91:11-12). When fear strikes, we can pray for God’s peace that transcends understanding (Philippians 4:6-7). Believers have tremendous authority in prayer to command anything that exalts itself against Christ to bow to His Lordship (2 Corinthians 10:5). Prayer activates the myriad promises of Scripture for safety and security in God.
8. Prayer births revival
Throughout history, prayer has sparked revival and awakening. As believers humbled themselves and prayed, God poured out His Spirit in fresh ways (2 Chronicles 7:14). Even today, praying congregations experience new outpourings of the Spirit, salvations, and societal transformation. Passionate, persistent prayer releases the supernatural fire of God to ignite revival. God stirs hearts to return to Him when we unrelentingly pray for outpouring.
9. Prayer produces fruitfulness
A life of prayer results in spiritual fruitfulness. As we devote ourselves to prayer, the Holy Spirit develops His fruit within us – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Consistently praying God’s Word transforms our thoughts and renews our minds to align with Him (Romans 12:2). The more we pray, the more we become like Jesus. Prayer cultivates spiritual maturity.
10. Prayer grants wisdom
Prayer opens the door for divine wisdom to guide our lives. When we ask God for wisdom, He promises to provide it generously (James 1:5). Wisdom from God is “first of all pure, then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere” (James 3:17). This supernatural wisdom comes when we petition the Lord for direction and discernment through prayer. His Spirit leads us into truth (John 16:13).
11. Prayer changes us
Consistent prayer transforms us from the inside out. It fuels intimacy with God that shapes our identity, character, and vision. Prayer reconnects us to truth, realigns us with eternity, and refreshes us spiritually. It provides strength to overcome sin and walk in purity. Prayer infuses us with God’s heart, equips us with His power, and ignites passion for His purposes. Praying believers become joyful world-changers.
12. Prayer ushers in God’s kingdom
When Jesus taught His disciples how to pray, He instructed them to petition God that His kingdom would come on earth (Matthew 6:10). As we faithfully pray for God’s purposes, we invite His kingdom rule. Prayer causes righteous justice and peace to increase in society as believers plead for God’s intervention in their cities and nations. Our prayers enable the advancement of God’s kingdom in this world.
13. Prayer moves God’s heart
Prayer stirs God emotionally to show mercy, forgive, heal, provide, and work mightily. Scripture says the fervent, persistent prayer of a righteous person accomplishes much (James 5:16). As we cry out to Him through prayer, it releases things in the spiritual realm and moves God into action. He responds because He cares deeply and wants to meet our needs. Heartfelt prayer touches God’s compassionate heart.
14. Prayer stills anxiety
Unrelenting prayer quiets our anxious thoughts. Rather than being overwhelmed by worry, we can release it to God in prayer while thanking Him for His faithfulness. Prayer helps us process emotions, grieve losses, and talk through trauma. The Holy Spirit comforts and reassures us as we talk to God honestly. He calms our fears, soothes our nerves, and dispels irrational thoughts when we pray. Prayer restores inner peace amid turmoil.
15. Prayer defeats temptation
Bringing temptation to God immediately in prayer enables Him to provide a way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13). Prayer causes strength to rise up within us to deny sinful impulses. It keeps our minds sober and vigilant against the enemy’s attacks (1 Peter 5:8). Since prayer aligns our hearts with God’s desires, it empowers us to reject what grieves Him. Consistently praying the Lord’s Prayer causes us to not be led into temptation but delivered from evil (Matthew 6:13).
16. Prayer invites God’s presence
God dwells close to those who seek Him in prayer. He promises to draw near to us when we draw near to Him through prayer (James 4:8). There is tremendous intimacy in meeting with God and feeling His manifest presence. Our hearts come alive as we experience genuine encounters with the living God while praying. As we worship and pray, He inhabits our praise (Psalm 22:3). His presence is our greatest reward.
17. Prayer unleashes miracles
Praying in faith releases God’s miraculous power. Scripture tells of many miracles that happened in response to prayer. God opened the Red Sea for Moses (Exodus 14:15-22), provided manna from heaven for Israel (Exodus 16:11-18), closed the mouths of lions for Daniel (Daniel 6:10-23), and caused the sun to stand still for Joshua (Joshua 10:12-14). He still does miracles today when we earnestly pray in His will (Mark 11:22-24). Prayer fuels the miraculous.
18. Prayer sustains our faith
Persevering prayer bolsters our faith and keeps it from wavering. By continually communing with God, we grow confident of His character, promises and mighty hand. We gain strength to withstand trials and hold firmly to hope. Prayer provides perseverance that matures our faith and enables us to finish the race (James 1:2-4). The testimony of answered prayers becomes spiritual fuel to keep believing through future difficulties. Prayer sustains faith.
19. Prayer expresses love for God
Prayer demonstrates our deep love for God. We joyfully talk with those we love. As we cultivate an intimate prayer life with the Lord, our hearts swell with love for Him. We begin to pray without ceasing because we delight in communing with the One our souls adore. Just as we make time for those dearest to us, we make time to linger in God’s presence. Prayer becomes the language of devotion to the Lover of our souls.
20. Prayer blesses others
As we intercede for others in prayer, we unlock spiritual blessings over their lives. Paul urged believers to pray for one another (Ephesians 6:18-19). We have the privilege to stand in the gap for loved ones and contend for breakthroughs on their behalf. Our heartfelt prayers bless others spiritually, speaking favor, prosperity, revelation, strength, and more over them. Prayer grants gifts that money cannot buy.
In summary, prayer connects us to the heart of God and all His blessings. It ushers Heaven’s power and provision into our lives and world. Prayer moves God’s mighty hand to heal, restore, transform, revive, and do the impossible. As believers, prayer is one of our greatest spiritual privileges and responsibilities. There is power, protection, freedom and favor available through prayer. God waits for us to position ourselves in prayer so the fullness of Christ can be released in our lives and through us to a suffering world. A lifestyle of fervent prayer should mark every follower of Jesus.
