Christians: What is the concept of prayer in Christianity?

Question

I know in many of the major world's religions, islam included, the concept of the prayer is to cleanse the soul of sins(as well as form a connection with God). So why do Christians pray if their sins are already forgiven by the blood shed of Jesus Christ? I remember still asking for forgiveness in my prayers as a Christian, and now looking back on it I wonder why I did since I was "saved" anyway. I remember the Creeds by heart - especially the part in the liturgy that says "we confess we are in bondage to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed by what we have done and by what we have left undone..." So... explain the logic please. There seems to be no concept of prayer washing away sins since it's already been done by Jesus.

Answer 1

Being saved and living in a state of grace are different concepts. The main purpose of Christian prayer is to humble oneself before the Lord so that one can accept His will and be strengthened by it. A person is empowered this way to resist temptation that leads to disruption in the relationship between man and God. You are right that it was "done" on the cross. However, Christians are called to manifest God through their lives. This is no easy task, but prayer clarifies and empowers one to live the life he or she has been called to live.

Answer 2

Prayer is an act of faith. It's an action, based upon belief, sustained by confidence. It's not about forgiveness unless that is something that is bothering the Chrisitan at the time. They see what they did was wrong, and they are activly repenting of it. So forgiveness is actually realized when the person praying turns to God through Jesus Christ first.

But prayer is about more things. It's initiating the relationship again, at that time on that day. It's telling God what's on our mind. Not because He has to hear it to know it, but because it has to do with how it affects us, we want to feel close to Him.

So you are right. When it comes to sin, it is washed away already. The life of continuing faith sees to it that the connection is still there. And we communicate with God on any subject. ANY subject. His promise is that He cares, and He is there everytime to hear us.

Answer 3

Prayer is an essential part of Christianity. We need to speak to God on a continual basis. The Apostle Paul said to "pray without ceasing." Our Lord Jesus prayed to His Father everyday. Because we are saved does not mean we are without sin. We still sin and need to pray for forgiveness. We also are obligated as Christians to pray for one another, to pray for righteous leaders, to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and to pray for the quick return of our Lord and God, Jesus Christ.

Grace and Peace

Answer 4

I don't spend my prayer time asking God to wash away my sins. I don't spend it making a long list of things I've done wrong, God already knows them anyway.

I ask God to show me my sins sometimes, to help me change the things I'm doing that aren't good for me ... just like you'd ask your own father for his advice.

But I also spend a lot of time praising God and thanking Him for all He has done for me so far and all the things He will do for me in the future. I spend time seeking His heart and I always walk away from the conversation richer and calmer and more satisfied with my lot in life.

If you would step away from your legalism for a bit, perhaps you would see that prayer is not a one-sided sin-admitting session, it's a conversation with the great I Am.

Answer 5

Prayer is conversation with the Lord! That's what He wants...a relationship!! Through prayer, we can talk and walk with Him! It is vital in that relationship...Ex: If you were engaged to be married and did not talk to your fiancee for days at a time, I would venture to say you would not get married! Your relationship would be on shaky ground to say the least! That is how it is with the Lord! He awaits our conversations with Him. After all, The Godly order is to love God first, family second and then, all others! Still, He patiently awaits and forgives!

Answer 6

Christ showed us by example to pray for forgiveness based on our forgiveness of others. Still, I have asked myself the same question, and was blessed years ago to recieve the following reply.

Centering Prayer is a method of prayer, which prepares us to receive the gift of God's presence, traditionally called contemplative prayer. It consists of responding to the Spirit of Christ by consenting to God’s presence and action within. It furthers the development of contemplative prayer by quieting our faculties to cooperate with the gift of God’s presence.

Centering Prayer facilitates the movement from more active modes of prayer — verbal, mental or affective prayer — into a receptive prayer of resting in God. It emphasizes prayer as a personal relationship with God. At the same time, it is a discipline to foster and serve this relationship by a regular, daily practice of prayer. It is Trinitarian in its source, Christ-centered in its focus, and ecclesial in its effects; that is, it builds communities of faith.

Answer 7

Christians pray the way that Jesus taught us to pray.

Matthew 6:7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. 9 After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

As to mentioning sins in our prayers, that comes from this passage of the Bible.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

God wants his children to admit to Him when they do something wrong instead of trying to hide it in their hearts from Him.

Answer 8

I can't speak for every Christian each may have a reason of their own. I pray to keep myself close to Him. To allow Him to conform me into the image of Jesus.. To be in agreement with Him about what is going on in my life and keep it in His will. It's not a gimme time it a time to draw close to Christ and become a better father husband and friend. To give the Spirit His proper place in my life so that He can use me to take His word to those who don't believe and to correct those who are in error... Jim

Answer 9

Prayer is the elevation of the mind and heart to God:
+ In praise of his glory
+ In petition for some desired good
+ In thanksgiving for a good received
+ In intercession for others before God

Through prayer the Christian experiences a communion with God through Christ in the Church.

"For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy." (St. Thérèse of Lisieux)

"Prayer is the raising of one's mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God." (St. John Damascene)

But when we pray, do we speak from the height of our pride and will, or "out of the depths" of a humble and contrite heart? (Psalm 130:1)

He who humbles himself will be exalted; humility is the foundation of prayer. Only when we humbly acknowledge that "we do not know how to pray as we ought," are we ready to receive freely the gift of prayer. "Man is a beggar before God."

With love in Christ.

Answer 10

It has, our previous sins, but we ask forgivness for other sins we have commited afterward. They can be washed away because we have the blood of Jesus, but we have to ask and confess to him what we have done!