Welcome to my new series on Tools for a Life of Prayer! In this series, I hope to provide lots of practical tips and strategies to make your prayer life richer, as well as a few core theological perspectives about prayer.

We have to start with the most foundational question: WHY? What is the point of cultivating a rich, deep prayer life?

1. It’s supposed to be normal Christianity.

I’m not sure how we ended up with this version of Christianity where we talk to God less than we talk to Siri, but it’s not okay. The biblical picture of relationship with God includes LOTS of talking to Him… because that’s what relationship is. When we accepted Christ, we said yes to a lifestyle of relationship that starts now– not just someday in heaven.

“And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.”
(Luke 18:1)

“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”
(Acts 2:42)

“praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication…”
(Ephesians 6:18)

“Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.”
(Colossians 2:2)

2. It’s the gateway to friendship with God.

Real friendship with God is a real thing that’s possible. Moses and Abraham were both called friends of God (Exodus 33:11, Isaiah 41:8), and through Jesus, we all have the opportunity to enter into this reality.

Just as there’s a vast difference between my Facebook “friends” and my actual BFF, there’s a spectrum of friendship with God that’s available. We’re all in the family if we’re saved, but God longs to share the deep things of His heart with those willing to linger with Him. He wants to be as close to us as we will let Him be. The deeper we go in prayer, the deeper our friendship with God will be.

“Thus the LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.”
(Exodus 33:11)

“This is my beloved and this is my friend…”
(Song of Solomon 5:16)

“The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice.”
(John 3:29)

“No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.”
(John 15:15)

3. It’s life for my soul.

We weren’t created to be always on the go, always busy, always flooding our neurons with stimulation and busyness and entertainment. We were created for intimacy with God. We were created to gaze into His eyes in the secret place and feel His heart bursting with love for us. When we slow down and fix our gaze on Him, we find peace and refreshing. Seeking Him is a lifelong journey of fascination–He really is better than anything else I could look to for satisfaction.

“He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.”
(Psalm 23:2)

“One thing have I asked 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 gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple.”
(Psalm 27:4)

“Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.”
(Psalm 90:14)

4. It’s the fuel and foundation of ministry.

We can’t do the second commandment (love people) without the first commandment (love God), and we’re supposed to keep them in their proper order. (Matthew 22:37-40) The presence of God found in prayer is the fuel for everything else we do in serving God and loving people. We pour out in serving others from the overflow of what we experience with God secretly. In the early days of the church, the apostles considered their time in prayer so essential that they reorganised their ministry to delegate certain responsibilities to others so that they could spend more time in prayer! (Acts 6:2-4)

Jesus modeled this in His time on earth. He would frequently withdraw from public ministry to have time alone with God.

“But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities. But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.”
(Luke 5:15-16)

5. It’s the deep desire of Jesus’ heart.

This is the one that always gets me. Even when I feel like I’m okay skipping my prayer time for the day, Jesus longs for that connection time. I know He loves the sound of my voice, and He longs to share His heart with me in return. He died for real intimacy with me. How dare I cheat Him out of what He so deeply desires and deserves!

Sometimes we forget that Jesus is emotional–He misses us when we ignore Him. As if every way that prayer benefits me wasn’t enough, I want to give Jesus what HE wants, that precious gift that only I can bring: my time, my voice, my heart.

“O my dove, in the clefts of the rock, in the crannies of the cliff, let me see your face, let me hear your voice, for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely.”
(Song of Solomon 2:14)

“Thus says the LORD, “I remember the devotion of your youth, your love as a bride, how you followed me in the wilderness…”
(Jeremiah 2:2)

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem… How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!”
(Matthew 23:37)

“Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am…”
(John 17:24)

This is only the tip of the iceberg of reasons to pray! I’m excited to dive into this series and share some of the things I’ve learned that have taken me deeper into connecting with God–and hopefully learn a lot from YOU along the way!

What are the reasons you want to pursue a life of prayer? Tell me in the comments!