Prayer is a great privilege
The first reason why we should pray is because prayer is such a great privilege. In the Old Testament time, the people could not have easy access to God. That is why the function of the high priest was so important.
(Heb 5:1 NIV) Every high priest is selected from among men and is appointed to represent them in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.
But after the time of Jesus, we have direct access to the Father through Him.
(John 14:6 NIV) Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
This is such a great privilege. In our world, we cannot easily get access to important people. It is a rare opportunity to meet a CEO or a President of a country and even if we could, we have to make an appointment way in advance.
But we can have access to our God at all times. And the only intermediary we have to go through is Jesus (John 14:6). We don’t need a priest or a church pastor to have access to God.
It is a sin not to pray
It is wrong not to pray because there are so many needs around us that we need to bring to God in prayer. Failing to do that which is right is sin.
1 Sam 12:23 As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right. (NIV)
Prayer is also a commandment of God.
(1 Th 5:17 NIV) pray continually;
Prayer invokes the power of God
There is a saying that goes this way: When we work we work, but when we pray God works.
Prayer allows us to tap on the power of God. When we prayer, God invades our situation with His power and His presence.
(James 5:16 NIV) Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
(James 5:13 NIV) Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray.
It is a sign that we love God
Isn’t it true that when we love someone, we want to spend time to communicate to that person? How can we say we love God if we don’t want to talk to Him in prayer?
Jesus demonstrated this truth to us while He was on earth. No matter how busy His schedule was, He always took time to pray to His Father. His desire to spend time in conversation with His Father flows out of an intimate relationship He has with the Father.
(Mark 1:35 NIV) 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.