10 Reasons to Pray
Prayer Is Not Our Last Resort; Prayer Is Our First Response
By Superintendent Dr. Gary L. Cordon, Sr.
There are some things you do not understand until you pray. There are some burdens you cannot carry until you pray. There are some enemies you cannot answer, some storms you cannot explain, some doors you cannot open, and some seasons you cannot survive without learning how to call upon the Lord.
Prayer is not merely religious language. Prayer is covenant communication. Biblical prayer is the believer turning from self-sufficiency to God-dependency. Prayer is where worry is converted into worship, fear is brought under faith, and human weakness is surrendered to divine strength.
The peace of God is the reward of surrender to God. That is one of the clearest reasons to pray. Prayer brings the heart back into alignment with the God who already knows the end from the beginning.
Here are 10 reasons to pray.
1. Pray Because God Has Thoughts of Peace Toward You
Jeremiah 29:11–12 (KJV)
11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.
Prayer begins with the confidence that God is not against us. He has thoughts toward us. He has a divine intention, a holy purpose, and an expected end.
When life feels confusing, biblical prayer reminds us that God has not lost the plan. We may be surprised by circumstances, but God is never surprised. We may not know what comes next, but God knows where He is taking us.
That is why we pray—not because God forgot, but because prayer keeps us aligned with what God already knows.
What God Is Showing Me
Prayer does not inform God of what He does not know; prayer aligns me with what He already intends.
2. Pray Because Nothing Is Too Hard for God
Jeremiah 32:27 (KJV)
27 Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?
Prayer becomes powerful when we remember who we are praying to. We are not praying to an idea. We are praying to the LORD, the God of all flesh.
The question is not whether the problem is hard, but whether it is too hard for God. The answer is settled: nothing is too hard for Him.
Some doors are too heavy for your hands, but not for God’s power. Some situations are too complicated for your understanding, but not for God’s wisdom.
God is God and I believe God.
3. Pray Because Faith Pleases God
Hebrews 11:6 (KJV)
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Prayer is an act of faith. Every time we pray, we declare that God is real, God hears, God cares, and God rewards those who diligently seek Him.
Faith does not mean we understand everything. Faith means we trust God while we are still learning what He is doing. When you understand that God is never late, waiting is the process, not a delay.
Prayer teaches us to keep coming to God, even when the answer has not yet arrived. Everybody listens to somebody—just don’t listen to everybody. In prayer, we choose to listen to God.
4. Pray Because Prayer Brings Humility, Repentance, and Healing
2 Chronicles 7:14 (KJV)
14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Prayer is not just asking God to change conditions around us. Prayer allows God to correct conditions within us.
God says, “If my people…” That means the healing of the land begins with the humility of God’s people. Before we point at the world, we must bow before the Lord.
Prayer, humility, seeking God’s face, and turning from wicked ways belong together. Prayer without surrender becomes noise. Biblical prayer with repentance becomes revival.
You can’t do wrong long if you intend to do right.
5. Pray in the Morning Because God Can Sustain You Through Trouble
Psalm 3:3–5 (KJV)
3 But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
4 I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.
5 I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.
Psalm 3 is a morning prayer from a man under pressure. David was not praying from comfort. He was praying while fleeing from Absalom his son.
This teaches us one of the practical reasons to pray: prayer is not only for peaceful days. Prayer is for days when trouble increases and voices say, “There is no help for him in God.”
But David answers trouble with trust: “Thou, O LORD, art a shield for me.” Prayer reminds us that God is our covering, our glory, and the lifter of our head.
When God lifts your head, He is not just changing your posture; He is restoring your perspective.
6. Pray in the Evening Because God Gives Peace and Rest
Psalm 4:8 (KJV)
8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.
Psalm 4 is an evening prayer. It teaches us how to end the day with God.
There are some things you must not carry into the night. Some conversations, disappointments, and fears must be surrendered to the Lord before your head touches the pillow.
David said, “I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep.” That is not denial. That is trust.
Peace does not come because everything is fixed. Peace comes because God is faithful. Forgiveness accepts that some things cannot be undone; forgiveness is necessary.
The real victory is allowing God to heal you without becoming like those who hurt you.
7. Pray Because God Leads, Protects, and Defends the Righteous
Psalm 5:1–3 (KJV)
1 Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation.
2 Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray.
3 My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.
Psalm 5:12 (KJV)
12 For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.
Psalm 5 is a prayer for protection. David says, “In the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.”
Prayer teaches us where to look. We do not look down in defeat or around in panic. We look up in faith.
David also says the Lord will compass the righteous with favor as with a shield. Favor does not mean we will never face opposition. It means God is present and protective in the middle of opposition.
Don’t just think; think about what you think about. Prayer helps correct your thoughts before fear starts preaching louder than faith.
8. Pray Because God Gives Mercy in Times of Trouble
Psalm 6:2–4 (KJV)
2 Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed.
3 My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O LORD, how long?
4 Return, O LORD, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies’ sake.
Psalm 6 is a prayer for mercy in trouble. David does not pretend to be strong. He says, “I am weak.” He says, “My soul is also sore vexed.”
There is a kind of prayer that comes from the place where you stop performing and start pouring. You stop trying to impress God and start telling Him the truth.
God can handle your tears, your weakness, and your “how long?” Prayer gives your pain somewhere holy to go.
Psalm 6:9 (KJV)
9 The LORD hath heard my supplication; the LORD will receive my prayer.
That is the confidence of prayer: the Lord hears, and the Lord receives.
9. Pray Because God Is the Righteous Judge
Psalm 7:10–11 (KJV)
10 My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in heart.
11 God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.
Psalm 7 is a prayer for justice. David places his case before God.
There are seasons when you cannot explain yourself to everybody. Defending yourself to people can drain your spirit. Prayer teaches us to place our case in the courtroom of heaven.
David says, “My defence is of God.” That means I do not have to become bitter to be protected or evil to survive evil. I do not have to fight dirty because I serve a clean and holy God.
You start looking like what you keep looking at. If you keep looking at your enemies, you may become angry like them. If you keep looking to God, you will be strengthened by Him.
10. Pray Because Salvation Belongs Unto the Lord
Psalm 3:8 (KJV)
8 Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.
This is one of the great conclusions of prayer: salvation belongs to the Lord.
Prayer reminds us that deliverance is not manufactured by human strength or religious performance. Salvation belongs unto the Lord.
That means the final answer, victory, and word belong to Him.
When you get what you ask for, you only keep what you understand. Prayer does not only bring answers; it brings understanding, alignment, wisdom, patience, holiness, and peace.
Closing Prayer
Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, teach us to pray.
Teach us to pray when we are strong and when we are weak. Teach us to pray in the morning and in the evening. Teach us to pray when we need direction, protection, mercy, healing, justice, and peace.
Lord, align our hearts with Your will. Humble us where pride has risen. Heal us where pain has settled. Correct us where sin has gained entrance. Strengthen us where fear has weakened us.
We believe You are God. We believe nothing is too hard for You. We believe You hear us when we call. We believe You are a rewarder of them that diligently seek You.
Let prayer become our first response, not our last resort.
In Jesus Christ’s name, Amen.
Superintendent’s Final Thought
Prayer is not weakness leaving your mouth. Prayer is faith finding its voice.
So pray. Pray early. Pray honestly. Pray consistently. Pray with faith. Pray with repentance. Pray with expectation.
Because when God’s people pray, heaven hears, hearts change, mercy flows, and God gets glory.
God is God and I believe God.
