Why Do We Pray?
Readings for Today - Psalm 51:1-18(19-20); Lam. 1:1-2,6-12; 2 Cor. 1:1-7; Mark 11:12-25
Have you ever wondered why we pray? One of the most meaningful reasons I’ve ever heard is that prayer is a personal response to God’s presence. Sure, sometimes I know we pray because we need something from God. It may be that we need healing for ourselves or someone else, or we desire safe passage or guidance in decision making. The list is endless. But why do we really pray? If God is all knowing then God already knows what we need, what our utmost heart’s desire is. If the desire to pray, is in fact placed within us by God as many believe it is, then God is already reaching out and in prayer we are responding. We are responding to God’s call, to God’s presence that is already in our hearts.
Prayer has always been a way for me to feel closer and more connected to God. It also helps remind me that I’m utterly and completely dependent on God. In the same way I begin missing a close friend after we’ve gone a while without talking, I miss God if I haven’t taken time to stop and be quiet, to allow myself the time to be present to God. If God is always present, then we must be the one who drifts away.
In today’s gospel, Jesus tells his disciples, “. . . whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received*it, and it will be yours.” Here’s where the waters get muddy for me: in James’s letter, 4:2, the author writes, “You do not have because you do not ask.” So, is our “having” partly dependent on our asking? The message here is not that we will be given our hearts desire every time we ask, the message rather is that we should ask with utter and complete faith and trust in God’s ability to provide. Not provide just anything. That may be where the trust on our part comes into play.
That may be a taller order than we’re prepared to follow. What does it require of us to have total faith and trust in God? Are we willing to give up control? Are we willing to allow that we don’t always know what is best and that asking for God’s will to be done is what in fact is best?
Let’s go back to my original question, “Why do we pray?” There have been many times when what I prayed for did not come to pass, at least not as I envisioned it. However, even if I didn’t see it or realize it, I was changed. Prayer can be a bit like spiritual exercise. It strengthens our connection to God, it guides our understanding of God’s presence in our lives, and it deepens our relationship and trust in God. Prayer is more important than we realize, and it changes us more than we may recognize. So, maybe that’s the reason why we pray. Even if we think our prayers aren’t answered, never doubt that they aren’t heard.
Faithfully,
Sally+
Questions for Reflection and Challenge – Do you have a regular prayer time each day? It’s never too late to begin and it can be quite simple. Starting is the hard part.