True prayer is a form of worship. It’s the time that we take to come before God our Creator in thanksgiving…with supplications and requests…seeking guidance or wisdom. It’s a time when we recognize God for who He is – the Creator of all living and the Savior of mankind. God holds the universe together. He is all-powerful, all-knowing, and all present (can be everywhere at the same time). God is infinite, which means that there is no limit to His power, knowledge, understanding, or existence. And He is our ultimate authority on everything.
On the other hand, mankind is controlled by limitations of every kind. We are only able to survive and thrive by the grace and goodness of God. He waters our crops with rain and warms the Earth by the sun. He gives us the strength and ability to work and take care of ourselves. Health and a sound mind are gifts from God. Never take them for granted. Too many people don’t enjoy those gifts.
God doesn’t owe us anything! We owe Him everything. So when we come to Him in prayer, it’s crucial that we keep in mind who He is and how vulnerable we are without Him.
That’s why I Peter 5:6 says, “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:”
God wants us to come to Him in prayer, but He desires that we come in a spirit of humility, with thanksgiving, recognizing his awesome strength and power, acknowledging his magnificent, never-ending blessings on our lives. Regardless of the challenges we face, God’s blessings are innumerable.
So, then, how should we pray? In a spirit of humility.
Why should we pray?
We’re instructed to. In I Thessalonians 5:17, God says, “Pray without ceasing.”
In other words, keep an open line of communication between you and God. Why is that important? Keeping that line of communication open allows you to talk to God throughout the day, but it also requires you to listen to Him throughout the day. (Remember, communication is always two-way.) No one is better equipped to give you guidance, wisdom, and advice than Almighty God? He knows what the future holds.