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Introduction from Reflections on Prayer book
We grow in our relationships with one another by communicating. As we share with each other, we learn, and the bond between us is strengthened. We’ve been invited into a relationship with the almighty God. Through the sacrificial death of Jesus on the cross, the way was opened for humanity to draw close to God, and through the gift of faith, we have been welcomed into the family of God. That’s why we call God “our heavenly Father” and why we want to grow and deepen our relationship with Him. He is the One who gives us life. He is the One who loves us the most and is the One who has called us to dwell in His kingdom for all eternity. And He is the One who has given us the gift of prayer – the opportunity to enter into contact with Him where we can experience His presence and develop a personal relationship with our almighty Creator and Father.
We pray simply because, as God’s children, we have been commanded to, and because it glorifies Him and enriches us. God is glorified when we are obedient to His commands and His name is kept holy. He is glorified when His children revere Him and seek to know Him.
Prayer as an expression of piety is known in all religions, and there are many ways of praying, or forms of prayer. [I]n a broad sense, any communication, audible or silent, thought, song, praise, petition, intercession, discourse, utterance – any expression directed to God is prayer.
Prayer benefits us because it connects us with our heavenly Father who we know hears us and answers our prayers. Prayer strengthens our relationship with our Father because it gives opportunity for the Holy Spirit to enlighten us and prompt us to align with His will. Prayer is the breathing of the soul and it is a necessity for every Christian. Faith without prayer cannot be a living faith. Prayer brings to expression love and reverence to God. We bring our petitions to God because we know the Almighty will lead all things for our benefit and our eternal salvation (Catechism 13.1).
Through prayer, we have the possibility – given by God – to look up and turn to Him faithfully and humbly; it is conversing with God, being convinced of His almighty power and of His ear! God answers these intercessions in a variety of ways. Prayer is an indication, perhaps, of the worshiper recognizing the infinite greatness of God and His love. In prayer, we give glory, praise, and honor to God, and we express our thanks for His goodness and help. Prayer is also our means of bringing before God our personal pleas, requests, and intercessions for others.
As we pray, we learn about our heavenly Father and about ourselves. Our God is the almighty One, who is all-present and all-knowing. He is the One who has existed for all eternity. He is the beginning and end, the Alpha and Omega, of every person that will ever live. He is free, omnipotent (all-powerful), merciful, holy, and He is jealous for our undivided attention (Exodus 34:14). The battle for our attention is fierce, and we often divide our attention in a number of ways. Our God desires for us to accept His invitation to seek Him, and knock on the door of His heart continually, so that we can become who we were called to be. That’s why it’s so important for us to develop the spiritual discipline of prayer in our life.
No matter how old or young we are, or how long we’ve been on the path of faith, we strive to deepen our prayers and strengthen our relationship with our Father. The Bible, both the Old and New Testaments, are filled with examples of faithful believers who utilized the gift of prayer to grow in their relationship with God and navigate through the tumultuous waves of life. Jesus is our ultimate example in prayer. He also taught us to pray by giving us the Lord’s Prayer... We should understand that what is recorded in Scripture is not a complete listing, but only those words that were written down and preserved across the centuries by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
[Believers should be inspired] to resolve themselves to seek a more intensive and extensive prayer life that causes each one to never neglect the opportunity that has been opened to us by God, the Father to commune with Him. Let’s take time to be holy and speak oft with the Lord (Hymn: Take Time to Be Holy).