Why Pray?

Men always ought to pray and not lose heart.
--Luke 18:1 http://www.crosswalkmail.com/aqvvlwkqzy ... jpbwy.html

If God knows what we need before we ask Him, why should we even bother to pray? If God is going to do what He wants to do and He knows what He is going to do, why even bother praying?

First, we should pray because Jesus told us to. Do we need a better reason than that? Jesus said, "Men ought always to pray and not lose heart" (Luke 18:1). That is not even to mention the blessings of watching our prayers being answered, such as the salvation of a loved one or a divine healing or a wonderful provision.

If Jesus said we should do it, then let's do it.

Second, we should pray because it is God's appointed way for obtaining things. God works in our lives through prayer. James 4:2 tells us, "You do not have because you do not ask." This means there may be things God wants to give to us that are not yet ours because we have not specifically asked.

Third, we should pray because through prayer, we overcome our anxiety and worry. The Bible says, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God" (Philippians 4:6). When we are tempted to worry, we should pray.

Lastly, prayer is one of the ways we make ourselves ready for the return of Christ. Jesus said, "Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is" (Mark 13:33). So pray in anticipation of the Lord's return.

Why not put these things into practice today?