Importance of Prayer

[donaldjerry]

Getting a job is useful. it's important. It's necessary. It's good. Same with passing college classes. Another example (a little different): getting married is good, and we really want it. Companionship is really sought after, it's helpful, it's just a good thing.So...I've been trying to compile a list of reasons why it's, say, useful, helpful, beneficial, important, necessary, needed, etc. to pray (amongst other things). I do youth and college ministry, and when we make to much of spiritual disciplines, people think we're being pharisees- and maybe we are, but I'm trying to stop, which is why I'm asking for advice here. Anyway...Here's some things I came up with.- Trains you to think only about what's most important in life.- Trains you to focus your love on God alone.- Gets your mind of less important things- Trains your mind to think nonsinfully/ unsinful.- Helps you formulate clear and concise thoughts of God and for God.- Prayer should act as a filter- what are things you pray about most often with the most resolve in all seriousness without any breach of conscience: those are probably the most important things in life.But even these answers probably seem to "churchy", to much like Sunday School answers, for youth and college kids. And I'm missing the relationship aspect- i don't really know how to say it apart from the whole marriage analogy. And of course, if you're of my persuasion and think prayer really does change things, then you've got a REAL conundrum, because then you've got the whole "so many prayers [seem to] go unanswered".What I want is for people to not just see prayer as a good thing, or as a necessary means- I want them to see it as actually important enough that they can't go a day without doing it, like eating. Or a moment without doing it, like breathing. College kids wouldn't miss a test, or an important job interview, or call off a date at the last minute with a "very important someone". It's even harder to make parallels for youth, because to them, so many things are just not important, not necessary.To make a long story short, how can I show prayer to be (for lack of a better phrase) of infinite importance? Maybe some of you guys could help me word my thoughts better as well.

[Peter]

To make a long story short, how can I show prayer to be (for lack of a better phrase) of infinite importance? Maybe some of you guys could help me word my thoughts better as well.

I probably shouldn't have replied to this thread as I won't be much help since most of my prayers are those of thanksgiving and asking for forgiveness.
Sometimes I pray for things like the Muslims I encounter and such, but in regard to asking for things for myself personally, I generally don't.

Mat 6:8 ..... for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

But then I don't need or want much as I have been very lucky in those regards.

I should probably move this thread to general discussion if that's OK with you.

[resistingrexmundi]

Getting a job is useful. it's important. It's necessary. It's good. Same with passing college classes. Another example (a little different): getting married is good, and we really want it. Companionship is really sought after, it's helpful, it's just a good thing.So...I've been trying to compile a list of reasons why it's, say, useful, helpful, beneficial, important, necessary, needed, etc. to pray (amongst other things). I do youth and college ministry, and when we make to much of spiritual disciplines, people think we're being pharisees- and maybe we are, but I'm trying to stop, which is why I'm asking for advice here. Anyway...Here's some things I came up with.- Trains you to think only about what's most important in life.- Trains you to focus your love on God alone.- Gets your mind of less important things- Trains your mind to think nonsinfully/ unsinful.- Helps you formulate clear and concise thoughts of God and for God.- Prayer should act as a filter- what are things you pray about most often with the most resolve in all seriousness without any breach of conscience: those are probably the most important things in life.But even these answers probably seem to "churchy", to much like Sunday School answers, for youth and college kids. And I'm missing the relationship aspect- i don't really know how to say it apart from the whole marriage analogy. And of course, if you're of my persuasion and think prayer really does change things, then you've got a REAL conundrum, because then you've got the whole "so many prayers [seem to] go unanswered".What I want is for people to not just see prayer as a good thing, or as a necessary means- I want them to see it as actually important enough that they can't go a day without doing it, like eating. Or a moment without doing it, like breathing. College kids wouldn't miss a test, or an important job interview, or call off a date at the last minute with a "very important someone". It's even harder to make parallels for youth, because to them, so many things are just not important, not necessary.To make a long story short, how can I show prayer to be (for lack of a better phrase) of infinite importance? Maybe some of you guys could help me word my thoughts better as well.

First you shouldn't worry about sounding too churchy. God says His Word never comes back void. Understand that whether or not you get the results you desire the message of His Word did not come back void. You seem to put more pressure on yourself than you need to. The Gospel is confrontational, a stumbling block to the Jew and foolishness to the gentile. It is purposely confrontational. So that it sheds light on our sinful nature and need of repentance. That being said I would advise you in this line of thinking.

-Prayer is an act of intimate fellowship with the Creator. As you grow spiritually you will rely more and more on prayer to help guide you. Even if your prayers start small it will not be long before they do become as natural to you as breathing.

-Prayer is not something you do only when you want or need something. As Peter pointed out prayers are to be prayers of thanksgiving as well. Relying on God to know and supply your needs helps stimulate healthy growth in your faith

-And it is perfectly acceptable to use the analogy of marriage. The Church is Jesus' bride and that carries with it an intimacy of relationship that you cannot explain in a satisfactory way without relying on the analogy of marriage.

-Last, God knows how badly you wish these young folks to value prayer. But all you can do is plant the seed and allow Him to give the increase. Noone comes to Jesus unless the Father calls them.

I hope this helps.

God bless.