Church Explained: Why Prayer Matters

Prayer is one of the most fundamental practices of the Christian faith, yet many of us struggle with it. We may wonder if our prayers really matter, if we’re doing it right, or if God truly hears us. The truth is that prayer is not just a religious ritual—it’s the primary way we communicate with God.

What Is Prayer?

In its most basic form, prayer is the primary way in which we communicate with God. While we can certainly communicate with God through worship, acts of service, and other avenues, prayer remains our main channel of connection.

Think about your closest relationships. You might express love through actions like planning special dates or cooking favorite meals, but the foundation of any strong relationship is direct communication. The same applies to our relationship with God—prayer fills the gaps that activity alone cannot.

Why Do We Forget to Pray?

Though prayer may seem simple, we often forget that it’s essential. There are several common scenarios where this happens:

• When we’re going through something difficult, we might call a friend first instead of talking to our heavenly Father
• When facing a problem, we jump into solution mode without inviting God into the situation
• When we’re busy, prayer can feel like one more thing on our to-do list

We need to remember to pray. This isn’t meant to shame anyone who struggles with prayer, but rather to encourage us all to build this vital practice into our daily rhythms.

Why Is Prayer Essential?

1. Prayer is what we are commanded to do

The Bible approaches prayer with a posture of expectation rather than negotiation. Scripture doesn’t say “if you pray” but rather “when you pray” or “as you pray.” For Christians, prayer isn’t optional—it’s expected.

This is supported throughout Scripture:

• Matthew 7: Jesus tells people to ask, seek, and knock
• 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances”
• Ephesians 6:18: “Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests”

2. Prayer builds our connection with God

Paul encourages us to pray for “all kinds of requests in all sorts of situations.” Sometimes we think our requests are too small for God, or that God is too busy for our minor concerns. But if prayer is our primary means of communication with God, and we only communicate about what we perceive to be “big things,” how often are we really communicating?

Think about a marriage where spouses only discuss major life events but never the small details of daily life. That relationship would be severely limited. Similarly, when we talk to God about both small and big things, we build intimacy with Him in simple yet beautiful ways.

3. Prayer creates opportunity for powerful and impactful moments with God

In the space of prayer, God meets us in incredible ways. Philippians 4:6-7 reminds us: “Do not be anxious about anything, 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.”

Every situation that attempts to move you into anxiety should be met with prayer. While prayer doesn’t always change our circumstances, it can change the mental and emotional space we’re in. If you look back on times when you’ve prayed during difficulty, you might recall:

• A feeling of calm when no calm should have been possible
• Relief when no relief should have been had
• The ability to endure when you thought you couldn’t go on

In 2 Corinthians 12:8-10, Paul describes pleading with God three times to remove his “thorn in the flesh.” God’s response wasn’t to remove it but to say, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” This powerful encounter with God through prayer transformed Paul’s perspective on his suffering.

4. Prayer is powerful and effective

James 5:16 tells us, “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” Your prayers matter, even when you don’t see immediate results.

James encourages us to pray in various situations:

• When in trouble
• When happy
• When sick

He reminds us that Elijah, “a human being even as we are,” prayed earnestly, and God responded dramatically. This doesn’t mean we’ll always get the answer we want, but it does mean our prayers are significant and God responds to them.

How Can We Pray?

The Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:9-13 provides a helpful framework for prayer:

1. Start with worship: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.” Acknowledge who God is and that He’s worthy of praise.
2. Pray for God’s will: “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Before presenting your requests, surrender to God’s purposes.
3. Ask for provision: “Give us today our daily bread.” Ask God to meet your needs and the needs of others.
4. Seek forgiveness: “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” Confess your sins and ask for help in forgiving others.
5. Request protection: “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” Ask God to keep you from what the enemy desires for you and to guide you in His ways.

This framework can be as simple or elaborate as needed. The important thing is to make prayer a consistent practice.

Life Application

Prayer is too powerful not to practice. This week, challenge yourself to incorporate prayer more intentionally into your daily life:

1. Set aside specific times for prayer: Maybe it’s first thing in the morning, during your commute, or before bed. Establish a rhythm that works for you.
2. Use the Lord’s Prayer as a guide: When you don’t know what to pray, follow the pattern Jesus gave us.
3. Pray about everything: Don’t limit your prayers to “big” issues. Share your daily joys, frustrations, and questions with God.
4. Notice God’s responses: Pay attention to how God meets you in prayer—through peace, clarity, or changed circumstances.

Ask yourself:

• What keeps me from praying more consistently?
• When have I experienced God’s power through prayer in the past?
• What small step can I take today to strengthen my prayer life?

Remember, prayer isn’t about perfect words or techniques—it’s about communication with a loving God who wants relationship with you. Start where you are, and watch how God works through your prayers.