If you pray, why do you do it?

Question

I have been told many times that I misunderstand the purpose of prayer. The people I've talked to and the things I've read have not really explained the purpose of prayer in a way I found to be clear. But if their is anything that I believe with 100% certainity it is that there is a reason for every action. People don't things just to do them.

So, if you pray, could you please tell me, in clear and direct language, why you pray?

Answer 1

I pray GWB will stop his war-mongering and lies.
Since there is no god, I suppose I can't be helped.

Answer 2

prayer is a very personal thing.. its the way a lot of people communicate with God. That's what i do when i pray... i talk to God. But it has to be done whole heartedly... not just read off a paper or a memorized. It has to be personal. Prayer is a way to build a stronger relationship with God. By praying you get directions in life.. and things get cleared up. Also from prayer comes blessings. It helps me through a lot of hardships. That's about all i can say. I hope i helped.

Answer 3

Because I like to. It would be the same if you hooked up with the most scholarly professor that you admired. If you could ask Him anything about your common interest, or had coffee at the local shop for a few hours. You would learn a lot not just about the subject, but also about him or her.

It's that way with God, He teaches me things that a lot of other Christians don't even know, or won't accept. I talk to Him not only because of what He answers me with, but because He encourages me, and empowers me. He makes me feel good about trusting Him.

I know it seems like I am saying that God's voice is heard, but it isn't except in a spiritual sense. And Jesus said 'God is Spirit'. So it makes sense to me.

So prayer isn't all about kneeling and holding the hands together, it's just speaking to Him. He really listens and I really get a lot out of it. That's what Christians are talking about when they say, " It's not a religion, it's a relationship." Because it's more than church, it's not about religion at all, it's about communicating spiritually. It's about being with Him spiritually. It's about understanding things that terrify people, which are not so terrifying because I will never be separated from Him. He will not allow it.

Answer 4

I pray because our God is a very personal God, and he loves us, and wants to hear from us. He wants to know our struggles, our joys, our fears, our anger and our doubts. He always answers prayer even though it may be no. Prayer is so powerful. Many miracles have been done through prayer, and I guess it always gives us hope for the future. There really are many reasons to pray.
It's funny, with prayer you have to look outside yourself, realizing you can't do everything on your own, or with friends and family. There is a God who really does care for you. I believe if you start to pray to him, you may answer your question. I even reccommend you pray to him about this question.
I see a sincere heart in this email. I hope I've helped, if not I really do wish you the best. - Dave

Answer 5

There is no such thing as "misunderstanding" prayer. To pray is to wish for something - whether to the subconscious or to a supernatural being. "Praying" for me is like meditating - it clears the mind and soothes the soul. Whether that prayer is a way to wish for an A on that midtern exam or for wars to end, a prayer is a wish, no matter how big the wish.

Answer 6

Praying is keeping contact with God and asking him to forgive our sins that we do every day, even without knowing, and to thank Him for all the good things that he gave as during the day and that he gave us power to get over our problems. Of course, in a pray, u can ask for what you want from God, but He may have 3 awnsers for your pray : Yes, No or Not yet (as in later)
After praying u fell that you're loved in a way that no persone can make u feel.

Answer 7

Praying is just a way to communicate with God. God want us to talk to him not because he is lonely or wad but b'cos he want to fellowship with us.. just like hw a r/s is build with human being... Even Jesus while he was on earth he prayed to the father too..

"Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed." - Mark 1:35(NIV)

Answer 8

Prayer for me is a way to vent out my frustrations and to express my thanks for all my blessings. I do believe in a higher power, and in praying I hope that there is someone out there who hears me.
There is no definite definition for prayer. . .it is what you believe it to be. People pray in different ways, influenced by one's culture. There are no rules or directions when it comes to praying. Just pray, the way you always have.

Answer 9

God's word:

Jam 5:16 Confess [your] faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Answer 10

It is communication with God. He also says, in His word, to bring all my cares to Him because He cares for me. So I do. I believe everything in the bible. Therefore, when God instructs me to bring to Him my requests and needs, I do. He works them out. Perfectly, all the time. It's not only for solutions that I pray, it is for the delight of intimacy with Him. The connection I feel in prayer is beautiful and personal; it lifts me out of this world into a fine place.

Answer 11

Because this the first way to have a communication with god in anther word you would be prepared to a stand between god hands and asking for what you would ask. do not get me wrong you could do that in any where, at any time. and you have to know the religion that you asking this question to because every one have his one mind and belief.