Why Pray?

Why should we pray? The question becomes pointed in those instances when God declares beforehand what He is going to do. If God announces that He is going to do something, as He did when He told Elijah He would send rain, why should Elijah then go up on Mt. Carmel and pray 7 times that God would send rain (1Kings 18)?

Here are the insights collated from our class discussions:

1. God's promises presuppose certain conditions, the first of which is often ... prayer.

2. God invites us to join in His work; prayer is the first responsibility of that partnership.

3. Joining in God's work involves removing barriers to His purposes (see Dan. 10.12-14). Warfare prayer removes those barriers.

4. Praying God’s promises expresses trust (faith), and allows the world to see God work as He answers our prayers.

5. Praying until God answers reveals His heart to us and conforms our will to His.

6. Deepening our knowledge of God’s heart draws us into intimacy with Him (John 17.3; 1 Cor 13.12).