Why Pray?
A Lesson from Stanley Toussaint
Christ tells us not to babble needlessly when we pray. Why? What is the function of prayer? Let’s learn from the Lord’s Prayer on how to pray and why (Matthew 6:7, 9-14).
The Lord’s Prayer starts with wishing that God’s name be honored (Matthew 6:9). This is important. For example, God brought the dispersed Israelites back into Israel to demonstrate the holiness of His great name (Ezekiel 36:16-25).
Then the Prayer wishes that God’s kingdom come to earth; and that His will be done on earth as in heaven—perfectly, immediately, and joyfully (Matthew 6:10).
The following verses ask God for our daily needs, and that He forgive us as we forgive others. (Matthew 6:11-12). This forgiveness is not about salvation specifically, because Christ was talking to the disciples, but it implies that we shouldn’t hold grudges if we want to walk with others.
The final verse asks God not to lead us into temptation but deliver us from evil (Matthew 6:13). Although God doesn’t tempt us to sin, this is a request that He guide us away from bad situations where we might stumble.
All the above are requests for God for very specific things. Other prayers in the Bible include asking for rain (James 5:17-18), wisdom (James 1:5), sending workers to do God’s work (Matthew 9:37-38), removing some annoyance (Matthew 15:23), taking away certain pain, or fulfilling the needs of others (Hebrews 7:25).
We thank (Philippians 4:6), adore, and praise God, but those aren’t prayers. Prayer is asking God for something specific, not out of selfishness, but so that God may be glorified (John 14:13). God is glorified by anything that reveals His nature.
How God responds to our prayer shows His love, wisdom, and glory. Through our prayer, we know Him better and are led to worship Him (Jeremiah 9:24, Philippians 3:8). When God answered the prayer of Abraham’s servant to bring a wife for Isaac, the servant bowed down and worshiped God (Genesis 24:26).
So, pray earnestly and truthfully. Ask God for something specific, something that honors Him. Through this process, we will know Him better and worship Him, so that He may be glorified.
Summarized from a Stanley Toussaint’s sermon:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjZOQOsk8O4&t=1254s
The Lord’s Prayer starts with wishing that God’s name be honored (Matthew 6:9). This is important. For example, God brought the dispersed Israelites back into Israel to demonstrate the holiness of His great name (Ezekiel 36:16-25).
Then the Prayer wishes that God’s kingdom come to earth; and that His will be done on earth as in heaven—perfectly, immediately, and joyfully (Matthew 6:10).
The following verses ask God for our daily needs, and that He forgive us as we forgive others. (Matthew 6:11-12). This forgiveness is not about salvation specifically, because Christ was talking to the disciples, but it implies that we shouldn’t hold grudges if we want to walk with others.
The final verse asks God not to lead us into temptation but deliver us from evil (Matthew 6:13). Although God doesn’t tempt us to sin, this is a request that He guide us away from bad situations where we might stumble.
All the above are requests for God for very specific things. Other prayers in the Bible include asking for rain (James 5:17-18), wisdom (James 1:5), sending workers to do God’s work (Matthew 9:37-38), removing some annoyance (Matthew 15:23), taking away certain pain, or fulfilling the needs of others (Hebrews 7:25).
We thank (Philippians 4:6), adore, and praise God, but those aren’t prayers. Prayer is asking God for something specific, not out of selfishness, but so that God may be glorified (John 14:13). God is glorified by anything that reveals His nature.
How God responds to our prayer shows His love, wisdom, and glory. Through our prayer, we know Him better and are led to worship Him (Jeremiah 9:24, Philippians 3:8). When God answered the prayer of Abraham’s servant to bring a wife for Isaac, the servant bowed down and worshiped God (Genesis 24:26).
So, pray earnestly and truthfully. Ask God for something specific, something that honors Him. Through this process, we will know Him better and worship Him, so that He may be glorified.
Summarized from a Stanley Toussaint’s sermon:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjZOQOsk8O4&t=1254s