Why Pray?

By Basil Ray Taylor

In todays time and age do we really need to practice the discipline of prayer? What is the discipline of prayer, is it something to be dreaded? Surely praying is left for those who don't have any other option for getting help and in the developed world we have access to help through doctors, social services and a host of other amenities that enable us to be self reliant. Also, what is it about talking to someone I cannot see?

For those who do pray, and find it a difficult task how can I know if I am praying correctly. is not all prayer the same?

This book will help explain what it is that is so special about prayer, the different types of prayer and some hindrances to prayer. I have also included real life accounts of situations that changed because of prayer.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Aug 30, 2017
• ISBN: 9780244029791

Book preview

Why Pray?

Why Pray?

Introduction

Why should we pray and what is prayer in the first place? In the world today is there a need to practice the discipline of prayer? Is prayer not just relegated to those who are in the place of need or who perhaps are unable to help themselves and therefore prayer acts as a psychological buffer to relieve the tension that the pressure the situation is posing?

These questions are asked considering a developed society that has almost instant help at the fingertips. In a place like the UK where the NHS is readily available to anyone in need of medical care and the availability of medication that is given as a prevention rather than as a cure. In social care, the situation is such that anyone having access to the benefits system may not have excessive finances but will certainly have enough to see that one does not starve to death.

We are going to look at the discipline of prayer as pertains to our walk of faith and why it is so important that regardless of what we may or may not have it is important to maintain a lifestyle of prayer if we are to experience all that is ours in this life.

The question of why we need to pray will be addressed, the types of prayer that we can engage in and some personal examples of prayer being answered in my own life.

What is a discipline?

In any field of study or practice, for anyone to become proficient in that field there are certain consistent practices that must be done. Each time those practices are observed the person doing them becomes better until eventually full proficiency or skill is achieved. This act of consistently doing what needs to be done, regardless of how one might feel or the length of time it takes to reach proficiency is what discipline is. Now this would describe discipline in general.

There is a great article that I found when researching into the disciplines we practice as followers of Jesus. It is an audio transcript of an interview with Don Whitney, Professor of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. (http://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/what-are-spiritual-disciplines).

To summarise what is talked about in the article – the disciplines found in scripture as practiced by disciples of Christ promote spiritual growth. They are personal – what we do on our own, and interpersonal – what we do with others. They are activities, not attitudes, character traits, graces or gifts. They are things we do. They are taught or modelled in the Bible and not practices that come out of our own thinking or preferences. They help us grow into Christlikeness and are derived from the Gospel and they are a means to an end. Practicing them is not what makes us godly but as we practice them we are doing what a godly person would do.

Some examples of spiritual disciplines would include fellowshipping with other believers – going to church being one, consistent study of the Bible, fasting, giving and prayer. The list is not exhaustive but hopefully sufficient to enable us to grasp the concept.

What is Prayer?

As I give a definition to the word, or more appropriately, the act of prayer my desire is to be as simple as possible in doing so. In its simplest form prayer is to communicate what is on our mind or heart to another in such a way that we are understood so that we can attain a desired outcome. The outcome could be that we receive something from the one we are communicating to or that they would know how we view them. In its simplest form, prayer is an act of communication. Having said this, communication would not be complete without both parties playing a part in the act of communicating.

So, prayer is an act of communication where both parties involved play a part. Dialogue is involved. It is interesting to note that even in the court of law the word prayer is used when a lawyer is