Jeremiah 29:13, “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

Why do Christians pray? Judging by the public prayers and prayer lists of most churches it is easy reach the conclusion that the purpose of prayer is to get things from God. Is that why we pray?

David prayed to commune with his God. David sought many things in his prayers, but when he prayed, what he desired above all else was God. The examples of prayer in the Psalms is the example of a man who sought God in prayer and found the answers to his requests in the presence of God. Consider a few examples:

“I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.” (Psalm 16:8-9)

“I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother’s belly. Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help. (Psalm 22:10-11)

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4)

“LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth. (Psalm 26:8)

“One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.” (Psalm 27:4-5)

Clearly, David was a man who desired God above all else. His chief prayer request was for a deep relationship with the Lord. He sought a person in prayer. His burdens were great and he truly desired deliverance, but above all else he desired God. In times of great sorrow, trouble, victory and joy David sought the Lord. David asked for protection, healing, victory, comfort, rest and dozens of other things. In every one of his requests, the answer David sought was the presence of God because David knew all he needed was found in God.

The Christian today has an even greater privilege in prayer. The Christian does not go to the temple of God to pray, the Christian is the temple of God. Through prayer the Christian enjoys the presence of God. Through prayer we converse with the God who saved us and made us His dwelling Through prayer we talk to the One who created us, saved us and made us His possession.

As you pray, pray to further your relationship with God. God has done all the work to forgive our sin, make us righteous and bring us into a relationship with Himself. He hears us when we pray. He speaks to us through His Word. He resides in us and will never abandon us. The Christian’s role in this amazing relationship is prayer. Talk with the God who saved you. Speak to Him of His greatness. Thank Him for His blessings. Commune with Him in prayer.

Proverbs 8:17, “ I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.”