The second greatest command of God (after the Great Commission) is that we pray. Prayer unlocks the storehouse of God’s riches. God wants to bless us and it’s a spiritual truth we first have to ask God to receive His blessing. We do not have because we do not ask. God always answers prayers, but in ways that will benefit us and on His timetable.
James 4:2 – You do not have because you do not ask.
John 14:14 -If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.
James 5:16 -The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
Psalm 6:9 -The Lord has heard my supplication; the Lord will receive my prayer.
We must pray to God out of obedience. Because God hears our prayers and answers them we have an ongoing conversation with God. We’re communicating with the Almighty! When we talk with God we’re building an intimate relationship with Him. Jesus has commanded all His disciples to pray to God and set the example for us by frequently doing so Himself.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 – Pray without ceasing.
Colossians 4:2 – Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving.
Matthew 6:6 – But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
Ephesians 6:18 – Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end and with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.
We should be spending more time with God in prayer and asking for all things important to us because our prayers are not in vain. We should be praising God with our prayers. We become more Christ-like the more we pray which is a very good thing. It is a divine privilege to be able to converse with the God of the universe anytime we want. We learn to appreciate that by praying more it will strengthen our faith and our relationship with God. We were created to commune with God.