Mind, Body & Spirit > Prayer > Why Pray?

Prayer

Why Pray?

"We are sure of this - God listens to whatever we ask
when it's in line with His will". I John 5: 14

How do we stay connected with anyone? Communication. The more ardently and frequently it is done, the better.

What happens when we fail to communicate? We feel lost, alienated, disgruntled and generally unhappy. Failure to communicate is a major cause of divorce, family feuds, broken relationships, bankruptcy, lawsuits, and job terminations.

When we fail to communicate with the source of our very being, the wellspring of our spiritual, intellectual, and emotional well being our relationships deteriorate.

We begin to think for better or worst, we are on our own. We get over confident or under confident. We forget about the ground rules. And without the rulebook, we soon forget the rules. Disaster ensues.

Without prayer, we can't say thanks, we can't ask for help. We can't confess our shortcomings and failures, and receive forgiveness - so we are stuck with our guilt, regret, and shame.

How Do I Pray?

Whether your prayer is the personally conversational style favored by many Protestants, or the more formal prayers preferred by the many of the older faith traditions--what really matters is that you open a dialogue with God today.

Jesus taught that when we pray God will reward us (Matthew 6:6, 7:7-11). How exactly are we to pray? Many theologians suggest this formula known as ACTS:

• Acknowledge God as Father and your Creator
  
• Confess your shortcomings
  
• Thank God for all you blessings
  
• Supplicate, ask God for your needs
  

This is essentially the form used in the only prayer we have recorded from Jesus, who instructed His followers to "pray along these lines" (Matthew 6:10-13) in the "The Lords Prayer".

The Lords Prayer

Our Father, Who is in heaven, hallowed is Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen