Read: Luke 11:1-13

Continue earnestly in prayer,
being vigilant in it with
thanksgiving. -Col. 4:2

One of the great paradoxes of the Christian faith is
that God wants us to talk to Him about everything that
is going on in our lives, even though He already knows
everything. So why pray?

If you’ve ever wrestled with that question, perhaps
the thoughts of the 19th-century preacher R.A. Torrey
can help. Among the reasons he gave for prayer are
these:

* Because there is a devil, and prayer is a
God-appointed way to resist Him (Eph. 6:12-13, 18).

* Because prayer is God’s way for us to obtain what we
need from Him (Lk. 11:3-13; Jas. 4:2).

* Because prayer is the means God has appointed for us
to find “grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16).

* Because prayer with thanksgiving is God’s way for us
to obtain freedom from anxiety and to receive “the
peace of God” (Phil. 3:6-7).

Besides these reasons, it’s enough to read the command

in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, “Pray without ceasing,” and
realize that God wants us to talk with Him. Yes, He is
all-knowing, but He also desires our fellowship. When
we seek God’s face in prayer, we strengthen our
relationship with Him. That’s the most important reason
to pray.
-J. David Branon

Since prayer is God’s most gracious plan
Whereby He links Himself with man,
Should not His own more often say
To one another, “Let us pray”? -Sterling

OUR HIGHEST PRIVILEGE IS TO TALK TO GOD.

OUR DAILY BREAD, Copyright 1998 by Radio Bible Class,
Grand Rapids,Michigan. Used by permission.