Why Should I Pray?

by Aleta Kay

If you don’t believe in God, or if you aren’t sure He exists, there’s a very simple way to find out–if you really want to know. As often as you think of it, every day, for two weeks, ask God to make Himself real to you. Look for the answer in little things. Look for the shape of His hand in the clouds. Watch for a rainbow on a sunny day when it’s raining. The rainbow was God’s promise to Noah that He would never again destroy the whole earth by flood. Look for the miracle of birth, the beauty of spring growth. Watch for renewed hope and peace blooming in your heart. If you think these things are ordinary, well, God did take on human flesh in the form of Jesus Christ so He could identify with our sufferings and temptations. He wanted us to know that He understands how we feel.

Why pray? Because God wants to have fellowship WITH YOU! Before sin entered the picture, God walked and talked with Adam every day. When sin entered the picture the fellowship was broken because Adam was embarrassed to have God see him naked. He had been naked all along and it didn’t bother God. God wants to give you victory over those habits that drive you crazy and make you feel like a failure. But most of all, God wants to hear from you. He wants you to talk to Him. It makes Him happy and it releases His power to work in your life, and the lives of your loved ones. Not talking to Him is like walking into a dark house and never turning on the lights. The electricity is there but you don’t use it.

God is there eager and waiting to hear from you. If you doubt it, read Psalm 139. There isn’t room to print it all in this column but it was written by king David at one of the lowest points in his life. He had committed adultery with Bathsheba, had her husband killed in battle, lost the first child they had together, and his sons were trying to kill him and take over the kingdom. Yet, he still sought God and knew how very much his heavenly Father loved him.