Lets talk about why we should pray.
One of the very first things you hear when you come to Christ is that you should pray.
People say things like “just pray about it” or “prayer changes things”, but if we’re honest many of us still struggle to do it consistently.
For me, prayer has always been the thing that I’ve over complicated because I always want to get things “right”.
Even though I’m aware that I don’t have to perform for God, somehow the perfectionist in me still wants to sound polished.
Honestly, this made me dread prayer because my emotions were always all over the place and I never saw real results.
I then realized that I was living in survival mode and now I’m relearning how to pray the way Jesus taught.
Prayer is supposed to be our safe haven that pulls us out of fear and connects us to our Source.
If the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray, then prayer is deeper than just talking to God, but it’s also not as complicated as we make it.
In this post, we’ll talk about what the Bible says about prayer, how prayer helps us leave survival mode, the benefits of prayer, and more.
This post will be all about why prayer matters and how it can help you exit survival mode.
Are you ready? Let’s geaux!
What Does The Bible Say About Prayer
Prayer is important because it keeps us connected to God rather than being ruled by fear, anxiety, pressure, and survival.
Survival mode keeps us in a state of reacting, instead of resting. It’s so easy for us to always be worried about the next bill, trending topic, or even the next disappointment.
But prayer is the thing that slows us down long enough to help us realize what actually matters.
Philippians 4:6 reminds us to pray and thank God instead of worrying. Prayer is the answer to anxiety because it reminds us that we can take things moment by moment.
This is probably why Jesus got up early to pray. He knew that God strengthened Him spiritually through prayer and that the physical things were taken care of as a result.
If Jesus prioritized prayer, then maybe we should too.
15 Scriptures About Prayer
Matthew 6:6-But when you pray, go into you room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Mark 11:24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
Colossians 4:2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
Jeremiah 33:3 Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.
Ephesians 6:18 Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.
Psalm 145:18 The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
1 Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.
Matthew 21:22 And whatever you ask in payer, you will receive, if you have faith.
Mark 1:35 And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place and there he prayed.
John 9:31 We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him.
Are There Any Benefits To Prayer
One of the main reasons why people get discouraged with prayer is because they don’t see any results.
If I’m honest, I’m one of those people because when you’re already exhausted, discouraged, and emotionally drained, it’s just hard.
When you’ve been in survival mode, you just want immediate relief.
But prayer takes time. It changes our inner worlds before it changes our outer world.
Prayer does the following things for us:
- Soothes our mind
- Strengthens our spirit
- Helps regulate our emotions
- Aligns our perspective with God’s
- Increases discernment
- Builds intimacy with the Father
- Releases burdens and heaviness
- Connects us with our home country, Heaven
- Reminds us that everything doesn’t depend on us
If survival mode doesn’t do anything else; it makes you feel like everything depends on you and that you’ll be stuck forever.
Prayer reminds us of how God is in control and that He wants to move us forward in Him.
Let’s break down the prayer template found in Luke 11. Each portion of the template is a concept of its own.
Our Father
God is a communal and generational God. The word “our” indicates that prayer isn’t selfish.
Whenever we pray, we should include others in our prayers.
Who Art In Heaven
God isn’t on Earth. We are praying to the One whose throne is above the highest heavens.
This means that we aren’t limited to what’s on Earth.
Our help comes from God who is above both Heaven and Earth which is why we shouldn’t allow worry to consume us.
Hallowed Be Thy Name
The word “hallowed” means holy or set apart. It means self-sufficient one who is deeply respected.
This is a huge reason to fear the lord, might I add.
Also the word name here means character. Typically when you see the word name in the Bible, it is referring to the Lord’s character.
So hallowed is His character. He is set apart and in a category of His own.
Thy Kingdom Come Thy Will Be Done
Prayer is so important because of God’s purpose. What He decided to do was extend His Kingdom to a physical planet called Earth.
He created you and I to rule and govern this planet just as He would. This is why it says “thy kingdom come, thy will be done”.
All of our prayers are supposed to be centered around His Kingdom and His will.
The Earth was always meant to be an extension of Heaven just as we are an extension of God.
Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread
I believe this part of the prayer template is powerful when it comes to survival mode.
How many of us are often worried about the future?
Daily bread is just what it says: daily.
God wants us to receive from Him daily according to what we need for that day.
Just like the children of Israel received manna daily, God wants to give us what we can handle for the day.
And Forgive Us Our Debts As We Forgive Our Debtors
Jesus said if we don’t forgive others then our heavenly Father won’t forgive us.
I believe that God says this because in order to forgive others we have to be operating in our authentic self.
Unforgiveness keeps the body and mind in defense mode. It tenses us up internally because we try to protect ourselves.
When you’re in survival mode, you will find that you’re still connected to pain you’ve never processed.
This can include unresolved guilt and shame within yourself.
Prayer gives God access to the hidden places we try to avoid.
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And Lead Us Not Into Temptation
Two words for temptation are testing and suffering. When we’re tempted its usually because we’re weak in an area.
God never tempts us, but when we are tempted He provides us a way out.
What if Peter would’ve prayed with Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane? Do you think Peter would’ve still denied Jesus?
But Deliver Us From The Evil One
Satan is no good. He is the father of lies and he thrives in disorder.
In survival mode, Satan will try to convince you that this is where you’ll stay.
This is a lie. God wants us out of survival mode more than we want ourselves out of it.
Why Is Prayer Important In Daily Life
Prayer is where intimacy with God is found. It is also one of the ways that we can discover who we are in Christ.
You are not alone in anything you do in life even when you are physically alone.
Through prayer, you can come out of survival mode. A disciplined prayer life is a lifeline for anyone trying to exit survival mode.
Without prayer, life will feel disconnected and chaotic. I mentioned before how I often over complicate prayer and I know I’m not alone in this.
So many of us do this because we already feel overwhelmed internally. I want to remind you that prayer is connection with God and it’s not a performance.
You can find rest in simple prayers because God hears you.
Even if you have to say “God I don’t know anymore, please help me” that is enough.
Little by little prayer will lift us out of survival mode.
This post was all about why prayer matters and how it can help you exit survival mode.
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Always remember that you’re destined to win because He got up!
-Devyn Janae
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