COVER SUBJECT: Why Do People Pray?

Why God Invites Us to Pray

God extends his hand of friendship. 

Friends communicate with each other to cultivate a good relationship. Likewise, God invites us to talk to him, opening the way for a warm friendship.  He says:  "You will call me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you." (Jeremiah 29:12) As you speak to God, you will "draw close to [him], and he will draw close to you." (James 4:8)  The Bible assures us:  "Jehovah is near to all those calling on him." (Psalm 145:18)  The more we pray to him, the more our friendship with God will flourish.

God wants to help you.

Jesus said:  "Which one of you, if his son asks for bread, will hand a stone? Or if he asks to a fish, he will not hand him a serpent, will he?  Therefore, if you . . .know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more so will your Father who is in the heavens give good things to those asking him!" (Matthew 7:9-11) Yes, God invites you to pray because "he cares for you" and wants to help you.  (1 Peter 5:7)  He even invites you  to got to him with your problems.  The Bible tells us:  "Do not be anxious over anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication along with thanksgiving, let your petitions be made known to God." -Philippians 4:6. 

Humans have a spiritual need.

Experts on human nature have observed that hundreds of millions of people feel the need to pray. Even some atheists and agnostics are included in this number.  This attests to the fact that humans were created  with a spiritual need.  Jesus said:  "Happy are those  conscious of their spiritual need." (Matthew 5:3)  One way we can fill that need is by regularly communicating with God. 

If we accept God's invitation to pray to him, what benefits may we expect? 

Next time: COVER SUBJECT:  Why Do People Pray? -PRAYER What It Can Do for You

From the Watchtower magazine