Christianity is never about religion alone; we do the things that we do not because we are obliged to do so but because we are in a relationship with God. While, indeed, there are certain things that God has commanded us to do, such as praying, if we are in Christ, Whose relationship with the Father is restored, we do it not out of obligation but of love and delight.
Father in heaven, I thank You because You sent Your Son Jesus to die for my sins on the cross so I can find life, forgiveness, and restored standing as Your child. I now have access to Your throne of grace, in which I can pray freely without any fear of condemnation. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
How to Pray and Talk to God
Why do we have to pray and talk to God?
We pray and talk to God because He first commanded us to do this. In Matthew 6:5-6, Jesus used the phrase “and when you pray” when He was teaching His disciples how to pray. It implies that they are expected to pray. In Philippians 4:6-7, it tells us that we are to present our prayer requests to God so His peace, which transcends all understanding, shall guard our hearts and minds. In 1 Peter 5:6-7, it is written that we are to cast our cares on God because He cares for us. All of these are done through prayer. Also, in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, it is written that we are to thank God in all circumstances and rejoice. A prayerful life is also evident in the lives of the early church, as written in Acts 2:42, where they devoted themselves not just to the apostles’ teaching, the fellowship, and the breaking of bread but also to prayer. Given the many scriptures that tell us to pray and what to pray, the Bible is clear that God commands us to pray.
We also pray to God because He deserves all the worship. In Psalm 29:2, it is written that we are to worship the LORD in the splendor of His holiness. We worship a holy God. Holy, meaning He is the highest category and distinction thereof. Therefore, He is the highest reason for our worship and deserves all the worship, praise, glory, and adoration. One of the ways that we worship God is through prayer.
Another reason that we pray to God is relationship. We were all separated from God because of our sins. As the Bible says, we were enemies of God because we are sinners, as written in Romans 5:10-11. It is only through the atoning work of Christ on the cross that we were reconciled to God. We have peace with God through Christ, and the dividing wall of hostility between God and us has been broken down, as written in Ephesians 2:14-16. Not only that but we are adopted into God’s family as His children, as written in Romans 8:15. Because of this, we can draw near to God’s throne of confidence and ask for grace and mercy in times of need.
The work of Christ has restored our relationship with the Father. Not only is He God, but He is also our Heavenly Father. Because of that, we can pour out our hearts to Him. If there are things we want to pour out, we can be honest with God, share with Him what we believe, thank Him for everything He has done for us, and ascribe to Him all the glory and praise as we worship Him in prayer. In Christ, we pray out of worship and relationship.
How to pray and talk to God?
We pray and talk to God as our Heavenly Father. While not all of us may have a good idea of what a good father is, the Bible shows us how good a Father our God is. And so, we pray and talk to God by approaching Him as our Father, where we talk to Him about whatever we want to talk about. The different verses we mentioned in the first paragraph of the last section pertain to the different prayers you can pray to God—thanksgiving, pouring out, worship, prayer requests, etc. You can lay bare everything to God because He sees everything in Your heart.
While indeed we pray to God as our Heavenly Father, to Whom we can open up and be honest, it is important to note that our Heavenly Father is still the Holy, Almighty, All-knowing, Self-sufficient God Who is the creator of the Universe and the God Most High. Therefore, we still pray to Him with respect and reverence, not out of overfamiliarity. Our prayers ought to be centered upon God, the highest reason for everything we do, rather than us.
Father in heaven, You are the God Most High, holy, majestic, and full of splendor. I know I can have peace in life because of You, the God who sits above all. LORD, you see everything I need, and I know that You are faithful to provide them. Provide for my needs, LORD, not so that I can live a comfortable life but so that I can live for You and expand Your kingdom. I know that You see all my hurts and pains and the times when others afflict me, and I know that You are there nearby to comfort me. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
How to Pray and Talk to God
Our prayer is always motivated by the Gospel. We pray and worship God because it is a privilege that is given to those who believe in the work of Christ and repent. We should never get overfamiliar with this privilege, but always remind ourselves that being able to pray to God freely and talk with Him as our Heavenly Father has come with a cost—the very life of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Who loved us, died for us, and rose from the dead.