The Vital Breath: Why Prayer Matters for Christians

The Vital Breath: Why Prayer Matters for Christians

Do you ever just feel like not praying? Like sometimes you just want to lay down and go to sleep after a long tiring day at work. God can wait, right? Of course he can. God is the essence of patience. But can YOU afford to wait? The answer is no. 

And don't let this be a moment of admonishment for you. We are all 'guilty' of being a little lazy in our faith at times. But guilt is a wasted emotion. God doesn't want you to feel guilty because you didn't call him, he just wants you to call him. 

One thing we must remind ourselves of is that prayer isn't just some religious formality; it's the very core of a relationship with God. It's the open channel through which we communicate with him, express our love, seek guidance, and find solace. Breathing brings oxygen into our bodies. Our hearts pump blood throughout our bodies to keep us alive. But prayer sustains our soul. When we pray, we are closer to the divine.

Lets look at what scripture has to say about prayer:

1. Cultivating Intimacy with God: Use prayer to cultivate a genuine relationship with God by sharing with him your joys, your sorrows, your fears, and your dreams. Though he already knows you, he really wants to hear from you. As Jesus says in Matthew 6:6, "But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." The reward you receive may not always be the answer you're looking for or may not be an answer at all. But rest assured, you are being actively rewarded for your faithful effort.

2. Receiving Strength and Guidance: Life is unpredictable and messy. Sometimes it can create within us a constant state of anxiety that surrounds everything we do. But prayer is the answer. Your overwhelming life or crushing anxiety should not be the reason you put off prayer. These should be the reason FOR your prayer. Prayer gives us access to the Holy Spirit and what better mentor could we have than the Holy Spirit to guide us through our problems? Philippians 4:6-7 reminds us, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Through prayer, we send our troubles to God, knowing He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). He doesn't promise to remove all difficulties, but He does promise to be with us in them.   

3. Experiencing God's Peace: It's 2025. We are surrounded by the noise and chaos of the world, but prayer is a sanctuary for peace. It's in quiet moments of communion with God that we experience the peace that surpasses all understanding. As we pour out our hearts to Him, we find comfort, reassurance, and a renewed sense of hope. This echoes Jesus's promise in John 14:27: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." This peace isn't just the absence of trouble, but a deep, abiding sense of God's presence.

4. Aligning with God's Will: Prayer isn't just about asking God for what we want; it's about aligning our will with His. It's about seeking His guidance and discerning His purpose for our lives. Jesus modeled this in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:39), praying, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." Through prayer, we learn to surrender our desires to God's perfect plan. This requires humility and a willingness to listen.

5. Interceding for Others: Prayer extends beyond our personal needs; it also involves interceding for others. We can lift up our loved ones, our communities, and the world to God, asking for His blessings and intervention. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 encourages us to pray "for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness." This is a powerful act of love and a recognition of God's sovereignty.   

Prayer is not an escape from reality or a magic solution, but it is a vital practice that connects us to the source of all life and love. Through consistent prayer you can find a kind of peace that can only exist when conversing with God.