Why Should We Pray: We Need Him!
“I need thee every hour,
In joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide,
Or life is vain.”
This well-known hymn was written in 1872, by a young wife and mother. Her name was Annie S. Hawks, and she was the author of many children`s Sunday school songs. I Need Thee Every Hour was written on a summer day in June while she was busy doing housework for her family. She sat down and wrote the song and it was published a year later. Little did she know that her own words would later comfort her during a difficult time in her life. Her husband died sixteen years after she wrote the song and she expressed how she felt after reading the words to the song. Annie wrote, “I did not understand at first why this hymn had touched the great throbbing heart of humanity… when the shadow fell over my way… I understood something of the comforting power in the words which I had been permitted to give out to others in my hour of sweet serenity and peace.” (Then Sings My Soul, P. 179). I truly do need the Lord at every moment throughout my days. Whether I am asking him for help in times of need or thanking Him for His kindness, I am dependent upon Him. (2 Cor. 3:5; Psalm 55:22 &1 Peter 5:6:7).
“Pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” -1 Thess. 5:17-18.
“Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.” -Psalm 55:22
Why Should We Pray: Jesus Prayed!
Whenever I think of prayer, one of the stories that come to mind is that of Jesus praying that there would be another way before He went to the cross. He said, “My Father if it is possible may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will (Matthew 26:39).” Sometimes, God doesn’t give us what we want because it is not His will, but He hears us, and He knows what is best. Just as a good father will lead His children well, my heavenly Father will lead me and ask me to trust Him even when I don’t understand. I should keep walking with Jesus and continue to trust the Lord in every aspect of my life. When I don’t understand, He wants me to be comforted by the fact that He does understand and that there is nothing that is hidden from Him. We should pray with a heart that seeks God`s will above anything else and pray for the strength to accept whatever He allows into our lives (1 John 5:14-15).
1 Peter 5:6-8, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”
Prayer was an important part of Jesus` time here on earth. He prayed regularly (Luke 3.12; Matthew 14.23; Mark 6:46; Luke 6.12; Mark 1.35; Luke 5.16; Luke 9.18; Matthew 26.36; Matthew 26:36-44; Mark 14.32-35; John 14.6). Some specific examples of Jesus praying during His earthly ministry are as follows: He prayed before feeding the 5,000, before He chose His twelve disciples, at the moment of His transfiguration, and for all those who would ever believe in Him (John 17.20; Luke 9.16; Luke 9.29; Luke 6.12). Jesus also prayed as He hung on the Cross. He cried, “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing (Luke 23:34).” Just by looking to Jesus as our example the reason is evident as to why we should pray! Because He did!
Warren Wiersbe writes, “If the sinless Son of God needed to pray, how much more do we?”
What Are Your Excuses?
Consider this question: What are your excuses for not praying? I believe one of the most common answers to this question is “I am too busy to pray.” One story from Scripture that comes to my mind when I think of being busy is found in Luke chapter ten. Jesus went to a village and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. Martha`s sister Mary sat at Jesus` feet and listened to His teaching, while Martha was busy making sure she had everything she needed to serve. She asked the Lord, “Do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her to help me (vs. 40).” Jesus told Martha that while she was worried and troubled about many things, her sister Mary had chosen the best thing and that is to spend time with Him. This is a good reminder that I should make it a point to pray, especially, on the busier days.
Romans 12.12, “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”
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