Some persons like Job ask the question
“What is the almighty, that we should serve him? And what profit should we have, if we pray unto him? – Job 21:15
Have you ever heard this question being asked? Or maybe you have asked it yourself! What is the benefit of prayer? Why should I even pray?
While questioning our faith is not encouraged and certainly, we know all our questions will not be answered here on earth, a question like Job asked is not necessarily a bad thing.
Questions like these may be raised to attract attention to certain topics, in this case, prayer. It is important to ask questions, to cause us or others to reason and to seek answers. Job asked, ‘What profit should we have if we pray unto him?’ We will look at the answer in this post.
Is prayer profitable?
We are living in an age of the profit system. Everything we do is geared towards achieving gain for ourselves. Look back on your activities since you woke up this morning. Do you see that your every action is directed toward a positive gain or outcome for you? I brushed my teeth (action) so that I wouldn’t suffer from tooth decay (profit). I am browsing this website and reading this post (action) so that I can be blessed spiritually (profit). So, you see, it is only natural to ask what would I gain from praying? Is prayer profitable?
Now, let us first acknowledge that there is a large group of people who say “No, prayer does not profit him that exercises in it.” It is safe to say that they have that attitude because they are ignorant of the blessings of prayer. They expect prayer to be a magic wand and ignore all the other blessings attached to prayer. Let us look at some of these blessings.
- Prayer connects us with God, the source of life.
“For with thee is the fountain of life” – Psalms 36:9
Without God, we wouldn’t even be alive, let alone have a fruitful life. How important it is then to stay connected to the giver and sustainer of life.
“For in him we live, and move, and have our being” – Acts 17:28
- Prayer changes things, as nothing else can: Peter was drowning when he looked at the waves, and he called out to Christ. At that moment, he was saved! ( Matthew 14:30, 31). The blind man called out to God and he received his sight ( Mark 10:46- 48). The numerous miracles recorded in scripture are just a fraction of answered prayers. Because not only did many go unrecorded, but God also continues to answer prayers to this day.
- Prayer brings us in connection with the holy spirit. This allows us to walk closely with God.
- Prayer gives us peace. Once you have committed to God that burden which you cannot lift, the trust and faith it develops in you help you find peace and rest. Why do you trust? Because God has promised to answer prayer.
Jeremiah 33:3 “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”
WHY PRAY?
So should you pray? Yes! And why should you pray?
Firstly, because God wants us to pray to him:
Jesus told the parable of the persistent woman for one reason; To encourage us to pray and not be discouraged even when it seems we are not getting immediate answers.
“And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that man ought always to pray, and not faint.” – Luke 18:1
The bible is filled with texts that encourage us to pray and these a just a few among so many;
“Pray without ceasing” – 1 Thessalonians 5:17
“Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” – Philippians 4:6
“I exhort therefore, that first of all supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men.” – 1 Timothy 2:1
Furthermore, prayer is the best way out of all our troubles, the best cure for all our worries and anxious cares. Who has not experienced the blessing of prayer when a load of burdens fell off from the one engaged in earnest prayer. This is not just about the prayer being immediately answered, but about the peace that comes from knowing that someone greater than you is in control and that he will work it out.
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28
In addition, prayer closes the door to the Devil’s temptations and influence. It gives us direct access to the power of God and is so essential if we are going to overcome the Devil.
Finally, neglecting prayer is a sin. It is disobeying God’s command. Because as we have seen, God has asked us to pray and pray often.
Neglecting prayer is neglecting our relationship with God.
God longs to reach out to us and communicate with us every day as we study and pray. When our prayer times are not just focused on making requests, but rather on developing a relationship with God and hearing from him, then we will always find that prayer is profitable.