I pray because I believe God listens. "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us" (1 John 5:14).

I pray because God has told me that He cares and is able to help. "Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you" (1 Pet. 5:7; see also Luke 12:6-7; Heb. 4:16).

I pray because I lack wisdom. "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him as of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him" (James 1:5).

I pray because my Savior said I ought to pray. "Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart" (Luke 18:1).

I pray because I'm thankful for all the good things God has given. "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God" (Phil. 4:6; see also Col. 4:2; 1 Thess. 5:16-18).

I pray because I need pardon. "My little children, these things I write to you, that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous" (1 John 2:1; see also Acts 8:22; Ps. 51:1-9).

I pray because I adore and love my Father. "In this manner, therefore, pray: 'Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name'" (Matt. 6:9).

I pray because I've read so many accounts of people who prayed to God with great results. "Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit" (James 5:17-18). "The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much" (James 5:16).

I pray because of Paul's exhortation. "Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior" (1 Tim. 2:1-3).

I pray because I believe God has the ability to grant even more than I'm able to think and ask. "For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height; to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen" (Eph. 3:14-21).

- The Preceptor, Aug. 1998