Prayer. To some, it’s a way of life, but to others, it can be mysterious or complicated. Oftentimes, it’s referred to as a Christian discipline, which can make it sound difficult or oppressive.
However, prayer is a wonderful thing that provides many benefits. These benefits go beyond the individual praying. In this article, we’ll define what prayer is and look at some of the benefits prayer provides including truths from Scripture.
What Is Prayer?
People define prayer in various ways but the simplest way to describe it is communication with God.
There are different kinds of prayer and many ways to practice it. Benefit-producing prayer isn’t recited but is communication that comes from the heart.
5 Benefits of Prayer
1. Prayer changes our focus.
It’s easy to get caught up in the circumstances going on around us, good or bad. Praying directs our focus away from here on earth to God in heaven.
Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth (Colossians 3:2, NLT).
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith… (Hebrews 12:2).
2. Prayer brings us closer to God.
Because prayer is communicating with God, it helps us build our relationship with him. It’s one of the many ways we can get to know him better.
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you (James 4:8).
The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth (Psalm 145:18).
3. Prayer ushers us into God’s presence.
In the Old Testament, people needed the priests or prophets to talk to God for them. But when Jesus died, the veil in the temple was torn in two, opening the way for us to talk to God ourselves.
The curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51).
Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16).
4. Prayer is a way to help others.
There are two ways this is true. One is praying with someone and the other is praying for someone. One is done in person (or over the phone), while the other is done in your private time.
Pray for one another, that you may be healed (James 5:16).
And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. (Colossians 1:9-12, ESV).
5. Prayer helps calm us.
The world is full of things that bring anxiety into our lives and prayer can restore our peace.
Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you (1 Peter 5:7, NLT).
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7).
Prayer. To some, it’s a way of life, but to others, it can be mysterious or complicated. Oftentimes, it’s referred to as a Christian discipline, which can make it sound difficult or oppressive.
However, prayer is a wonderful thing that provides many benefits. These benefits go beyond the individual praying.
In this article, we’ll define what prayer is and look at some of the benefits prayer provides including truths from Scripture.
What Is Prayer?
People define prayer in various ways but the simplest way to describe it is communication with God.
There are different kinds of prayer and many ways to practice it. Benefit-producing prayer isn’t recited but is communication that comes from the heart.
