The Importance of Prayer - How to Chart Your Course with Prayer

When we understand the power and importance of prayer, it becomes an integral tool in creating the type of life God wants us to have - a successful life. As children, our teachers taught us to sing a song that went along the lines of “prayer is the key, prayer is the master key.” We got the lyrics wrong at some point, and being young, we didn’t fully understand what we were communicating. Many years later, I am much older (and I’d like to think I am wiser), and I finally understand what we said. Prayer is the key.

If you are struggling with understanding the concept of prayer, how to pray or finding scriptures to empower you as you fellowship with God, then read this post!

What is prayer?

Prayer is communicating with God. Speaking to him and then listening for his responses. That is the easiest way to explain it. Jesus said, “Men ought always to pray” (Luke 18:1). We often ask questions such as “What is prayer, and how do I pray?”

Picture this: you are home alone after a long day of work. The day was challenging, and you needed somebody to talk about it. At that moment, you start addressing God and telling him how your challenges are and that you need help dealing with them. You are praying. You could be thanking God, asking for help, or praying for healing; whatever it is, that communication process is prayer.

What is the importance of prayer? 

The importance of prayer is often overlooked. This could be because we do not fully understand how powerful our communication with God can be. Let’s look at what the Bible says about the importance of prayer to you and the church. 

The importance of prayer in the Bible 

Prayer is our first response, not our last resort. So why is it essential to cultivate a habit of prayer? Let’s find out what the Bible says about the importance of fasting and prayer. 

• Prayer is how we make requests.

For those of you who use social media (which is almost everybody), you are familiar with sending requests. And there is a procedure for that. You find the person you want to befriend, send a request, and wait for their response. Since God isn’t on social media, how do we make requests from him? We pray! God wants to give us whatever we want, but we’ll have to ask for it, and we ask by praying. James said we didn’t have what we wanted because we had not asked for it (James 4:2). So, learn to pray and make specific requests.

• Prayer is how we communicate with God. 

Prayer is not just us talking to God; it is him talking back to us. He wants to answer your questions and give you clarity. But life gets hectic, and we are only sometimes conditioned to hear him when he speaks. That’s why we pray. So that at that moment, we can listen to God speak to our hearts and answer all the questions we may have.

• We gain confidence and power by praying.

Prayer helps you gain confidence and control. Life gets confusing, and we may not know what to do in certain situations. By praying about them, we gain clarity and direction. Most importantly, we gain knowledge, and knowledge is power. In the Bible, Timothy tells us about the spirit of power God has given us because we believe (2 Timothy 1:17). That power is activated when we pray. When we pray, we gain more confidence to go about our day and lives.

• We are healed through prayer. 

In addition to healing our bodies, our minds and hearts are perfected through prayer. Prayer is such great therapy. When you feel the world is spinning out of control and you can’t find your footing, pray. Prayer helps you stay stable, tranquil, and calm. Think of Jesus and his disciples in the storm. While they were distraught, he remained calm and transferred that calmness to his surroundings (Mark 4:38). A therapist would also tell you to “talk about it.” Who better to talk to than the creator of the universe? He will help you get out of the rot.

• We grow our faith through prayer. 

Prayer in itself is an act of faith. We acknowledge his existence and trust that, even without proof, he is there and is listening. We are also able to grow our faith through continued fellowship through prayer. In 2 Corinthians 2:5, the bible says, “Your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” This power is made available through prayer. So, if you are looking for ways to grow your faith in God, start developing the habit of praying and communicating with God. 

The importance of prayer in the church

The church is the body of Christ, and Jesus, in the Bible, admonishes us to pray always. As much as prayer is important to you, it is also an important aspect of Christian fellowship in the church. Here are some of the benefits of prayer to the church: 

• Prayer unites us in the body of Christ. 
• Prayer helps us align with the plans and purposes of God. 
• Prayer is an example set by Jesus for us to follow.

By praying in church or with a congregation, we can agree and fellowship together. It helps you stay tethered to a community of like-minded people who will support and encourage you in prayer as well as physically. 

Scriptures on the importance of prayer 

What does the Bible say about prayer? Here are some scriptures about the importance of prayer that you can always refer to for more clarity. 

1. Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything, give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18
2. Be careful for nothing, but in everything, through prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
3. And this is the confidence that we have in him—that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us. 1 John 5:14
4. Continue in prayer, and watch in the same way with thanksgiving. Colossians 4:2
5. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. Jeremiah 29:12
6. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever you desire, when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them. Mark 11:24
7. Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer. Romans 12:12
8. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do, for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Matthew 6:7
9. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in times of need. Hebrews 4:16
10. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father, who is in secret, and thy Father, who seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly. Matthew 6:6
11. And if we know that he hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desire from him. 1 John 5:15
12. But let him ask in faith, without wavering. For that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven by the wind and tossed. James 1:6
13. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you. John 15:16
14. But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. 1 Peter 4:7
15. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. John 14:13

Quotes about the importance of prayer 

Certainly! Here are some inspirational quotes about prayer:

1. Billy Graham: “Prayer is simply a two-way conversation between you and God.” 
2. A.B. Simpson: “Prayer is the link that connects us with God.” 
3. Ed Cole: “Wishing will never be a substitute for prayer.” 
4. Anonymous: “Prayer: The World’s Greatest Wireless Connection.” 
5. Unknown: “Prayer is exhaling the spirit of man and inhaling the spirit of God.” 
6. Unknown: “Prayer is asking God to align you with His will rather than asking Him to be aligned with yours.” 
7. E.M. Bounds: “Prayer should not be regarded as a duty that must be performed, but rather as a privilege to be enjoyed.” 
8. Martin Luther: "As it is the business of tailors to make clothes and cobblers to make shoes, so it is the business of Christians to pray.” 
9. John Wesley: “God does nothing but by prayer, and everything with it.” 
10. John Piper: “Prayer is the open admission that, without Christ, we can do nothing. And prayer is turning away from us to God in the confidence that He will provide the help we need. Prayer humbles us as needy and exalts God as wealthy.” 

Conclusion

Please make prayer an integral part of your life. God wants to hear what you have to say and help you figure everything out. Remember, prayer is not just about talking; it’s also about listening. Allow yourself to hear what God wants to share with you. Keep persevering in prayer, even when it seems silent, because God is always at work. Make prayer your first response today. Have a blessed life.