Why Prayer?

When Jesus died on the cross for our sins, the bible tells us the veil in the Temple was torn from top to bottom allowing God’s people to enter His presence. [Mark 15:37-38] We now have the privilege to enter God’s presence through prayer any time night or day with any petition or need. We don’t need a priest as in the O. T. Throughout the bible we see the power of prayer. All great moves of God begin with prayer. we receive blessings thru prayer. God works through His people’s prayers.

1. God invites us to come before Him in prayer.  Matthew 7:7-8 (NKJV) ⁷ "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. ⁸ For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Present tense shows that the answer to prayer is more than just a promise for the future. The person who perseveres in prayer possesses the answer now. Perhaps the thing has not yet happened, but by faith the believer knows that God has heard his prayer.

2. Through prayer we receive God’s mercy and grace in time of need.

The bible says in Hebrews 4:16 (NKJV) Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

3. Through prayer we receive wisdom from God. Jeremiah 33:3 'Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.' God invites us to ask of Him and He promises that He will answer us and show us great things, mighty things. Things we need to know about our situation!

4. Prayer proves our faith and trust are truly in God. Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV)  But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a (rewarder) of those who diligently seek Him.

5. Prayer keeps us dependent on God and not on ourselves or any human being. Prayer gives us confidence in God as we commune with Him.  Read Ps. 23:1

6. Through prayer God releases His power and strength. Acts 4:31 (NKJV)  And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

Psalms 68:34-35 (NKJV) ³⁴ Ascribe strength to God; His excellence is over Israel, And His strength is in the clouds. ³⁵ O God, You are more awesome than Your holy places. The God of Israel is He who gives strength and power to His people. Blessed be God! Isaiah 40:29 (NKJV) He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength.

7. Prayer keeps us from temptation. Matthew 26:41 (NKJV)
⁴¹ Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." The only cure for temptation to doubt and fear is prayer because we are weak in our flesh! In prayer we become strong!

8. Through prayer we are given peace and security. Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV) ⁶ Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

9. Through prayer we receive salvation. Romans 10:9-10 (NKJV)
⁹ If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:13 For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Invitation: Do you need salvation today? It is received by Asking Jesus to forgive your sins and confessing Him as your Savior and Lord, and believing in your heart that God has raised Jesus from the dead. God promises you will be saved!