Prayer: Why and how do I pray?

Summary

Jesus gave his life so that we could have a relationship with God — and we grow in that relationship by communicating with him through prayer. This session explains that prayer is simply talking to God, that prayer changes things, that God is a loving Father rather than a cosmic vending machine, and that he gives us peace even when our circumstances don't change. It closes by walking through the model Jesus gave us in the Lord's Prayer.

Key Points

What is prayer, and why pray?

• Simply put, prayer is talking to God. Around 75% of people admit to praying at least once a week.
• "The truth is: prayer changes things." — Ben
• "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." — Matthew 7:7
• God is not a cosmic vending machine; he is our heavenly Father, and prayer is about growing closer to him.

Prayer brings peace

• Jesus calms the storm (Mark 4:35-41).
• "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… will guard your hearts and your minds." — Philippians 4:6-7

Jesus teaches us how to pray (Matthew 6:9-13)

• "Our Father in heaven…" — begin with worship and thanks.
• "Your kingdom come, your will be done…" — ask for God's plans and purposes.
• "Give us today our daily bread." — ask God for whatever you need, big or small.
• "Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven…" — forgive others and ask God's forgiveness.
• "Lead us not into temptation…" — ask God for strength to resist temptation.

Notable Quotes

"God never ignores, He never pushes us away, and He never gives us second best." — Ben

"'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,' declares the Lord." — Isaiah 55:8

"The story about the boy in the sandbox is less about a rock that needs to be moved and more about a father who wants to be close to his son." — Jason