This series of articles, written by Dr Peter Masters, is taken from https://metropolitantabernacle.org/articles/remedies-for-problems-in-prayer/
Why Do We Need to Ask in Prayer?
Problems in prayer are often eased when we reflect on the purposes that lie behind asking prayer. (The purposes in this summary have mostly been referred to in the course of this book.)
- We are called to ask in prayer because prayer establishes God’s sovereignty, might and majesty. The simple fact that we have to ask God for all our blessings, and then give thanks for them, reinforces in our minds that God is our governor and provider, and that we need His guidance, permission and provision in everything. If we did not have to pray, this vital awareness would surely drop out of our minds, and so prayer keeps us under God’s authority.
- Prayer also makes us deeply aware of God’s goodness. Whenever we repent, we taste His forgiving love, and when we cry out for deliverance or light in some trial, He intervenes and helps us, leaving us in wonder at His kindness. If such blessings were given without our engaging in prayer, we would not truly appreciate His goodness and power.
- Prayer also brings believers into fellowship or interaction with God. Would we fellowship much in conversation with the Lord if we did not need to ask for our blessings?
- Prayer teaches us about our privileged position as believers. What greater privilege can there be than to have access to a mighty God Who is willing to be prevailed upon by His people! We may have no power of audience with the great ones of this world, and even if we had, there is little likelihood that we could influence them. Yet we may go to the King of kings and Lord of lords, and be efficaciously heard.
- Prayer, like nothing else, and in the kindest way, teaches us our limitations and inadequacy. In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve wanted independence, believing that God was withholding from them powers and insight which would enable them to succeed without Him. Through prayer God trains us to go in the opposite direction, and to see our need of Him in everything.
- Prayer also helps to deliver us from pride. If churches filled up without prayer, preachers would think of themselves very highly and take all the credit. If we could live holy lives, or accomplish anything of substance without prayer, conceit would drown us. Prayer maintains our perspective and keeps us humble.
- Prayer also delivers from self-interest and selfishness, because it helps us to realise we cannot have and do whatever we like. Earthly aims and selfish things ‘stick in the gullet’ of a praying believer. The need to ask the Lord about every major thing we do or buy serves as a restraint upon our appetites. Without prayer we might easily make carnal decisions, but we dare not ask God’s blessing upon excessive and self-vaunting things. Prayer therefore serves as a caution, and helps us to be better people. We know we must pray for others, and as we do so we become much more concerned about them than about ourselves. Therefore, by prayer, we are to a large extent delivered from the idol ‘self’.
- Prayer always builds up faith, as one’s memory bank of God’s answers grows. At times the Lord delays His response until we pray repeatedly and more earnestly, all this being a trust-strengthening process. The powerful evidence of answers in the past develops in us a tenacious trust that He will bless in His perfect way, in due time.
- Alongside faith prayer produces assurance. Many times when feelings fail, the evidence of God’s fatherly goodness is derived from answered prayer. Nothing is so melting as great answers to prayer.
- Prayer, to a remarkable extent, makes the believer aware that he is never alone. We can pray whatever our circumstances, and wherever we are.
- Prayer also is a great leveller, teaching us that not one of God’s servants is greater in His sight than any other. Paul pleads for prayer as though his usefulness depended upon it – and it did. The people had a share in his ministry by prayer, remembering that as a needy mortal, he was like them. Knowing how much he depended on the prayers of others, Paul also was delivered from exalted views of himself.
- Prayer inevitably promotes repentance, because the very act of approaching the Lord makes true believers ashamed of their sin, and moves them to seek cleansing.