I pray because...

Over the last few months we've talked a lot about prayer, and done a lot of praying. While we have just scratched the service as far as answering questions about prayer, our practice of prayer has made a great impact on our community. It has been very encouraging for me personally.

We will continue to make prayer a primary part of who we are and what we do, and look for opportunities to continue the conversation. 

The most common question discussed was "why do we pray?" Many of us have done it for years, because we were taught it was crucial for Christians. But it's also one of those things that we do without really thinking much about it. We had some great conversation about this, and while I don't know if we found any revolutionary answers, it did challenge me to think about why I pray. Here are some of my thoughts:

I pray because I know I can't make life work on my own.

I pray because I need to be connected to more than just what I can see and touch.

I pray because I need to know that I am not alone.

I pray because I have seen God work supernaturally, in my life and the lives of others.

I pray because I gain strength and insight when I do.

I pray because sometimes at midnight, God is the only one listening.

I pray because the Bible, full of wisdom and insight into God and humankind, tells me it is crucial.

I pray because it helps me feel God's presence.

I pray because I love God.

I pray because I believe God loves me.