12 Reasons to Pray

Why should we pray? What’s the point? We’ll give you 12!

1.            To know God and grow in a relationship with Him.

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. 

Philippians 3:12-14

Exodus 33:13; Psalm 42:1-2; Psalm 46:10; Psalm 103:1-5

2.         To obey God

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer

and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Philippians 4:6

1 Thessalonians 5:17; Ephesians 6:18; Matthew 6:6

3.         To follow Jesus’ example

            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

John 17:1; Luke 6:12; Matthew 26:36-44

4.         To seek God’s guidance in making decisions

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; 
I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.

Psalm 32:8

James 1:5; Proverbs 3:5-6

5.         To surrender to God’s will

Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”

Matthew 26:39, 42

Luke 1:38, 46-48; Acts 9:20-22

6.         To be strengthened to serve God

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

John 15:5

Philippians 4:13; 2 Corinthians 3:5

7.         To thank God

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

Ephesians 5:20

8.         To confess our sins and seek God’s forgiveness

Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. 
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD.” 
And you forgave the guilt of my sin.

Psalm 32:5; 51

1 John 1:9; Psalm 51

9.         To seek God’s help in our problems

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Hebrews 4:16

1 Peter 5:7; Philippians 4:19

10.       To intercede for others

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,

Ephesians 6:18-19

Philippians 1:9-11; Acts 12:5; Ephesians 3:14-19

11.       To advance God’s kingdom

Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

Matthew 9:37-38

Matthew 6:10; Acts 1:8, 13-14; Acts 13:1-4

12.       To glorify God

In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, 
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”

Revelation 5:12

Nehemiah 9:5-6; Psalm 148:13; John 14:13; Matthew 6:9-10

Sharon Gritz & Diana Prescott, UBC Women’s Monthly Prayer Group Coordinators