Why dont we pray?

The highest privilege ever afforded to man is the power of prayer. Then why don’t we pray?

The right to talk to the highest potentate in all the universe. Then why don’t we pray?

The most powerful force accessible to man is the potential of prayer. Then why don’t we pray?

The greatest longing in the heart of God is to talk to His children. Then why don’t we pray?

Nothing is impossible to those who pray. Then why don’t we pray?

No man ever fainted or faltered who gave himself to prayer. Then why don’t we pray?

Every sin is forgiven, every stain is washed clean, all guilt diminished to the man who prays. Then why don’t we pray?

Hell moves farther away, Satan flees from the man who prays. Then why don’t we pray?

Anointing will come, mountains will be moved, valleys made smooth, rivers made crossable, the inaccessible made accessible, the impossible made possible, dreams come through to the man who prays. Then why don’t we pray?

Jesus said that men ought always to pray. Then why don’t we pray?

Paul encouraged prayer without ceasing. Then why don’t we pray?

The riches of heaven are open to those who pray in His name. Then why don’t we pray?

Everyone can pray, the young, the old, the rich, the poor, the strong, the weak, the child, the aged, the sinner, the prisoner, in any nation, in any language, all can pray. Then why don’t we pray?

Going beyond the reasons

We have the privilege of conversing with the sovereign God but surveys consistently reveal that Christians pray very little, if at all. Why? Here are six possibilities I have come across in recent reading: See if you agree (and maybe add others)

1. We don’t want anything: We are quite comfortable in our homes and churches and, anyway, even if we do want anything we can ‘buy it or book it.’

2. We don’t care enough about others: When we do converse with others, it’s generally pretty superficial. Keeping it on a surface level means I don’t have to pray much for anyone

3. We’re too busy: Yes, we do lead busy lives which is incredible considering that in 1965 experts predicted that in 20 years (1985) we'd all be working a 22-hour week and retire by age 40 because computers would do most of the work. The reality in 2010? Surveys show consistently that we are working harder and longer and are far more stressed than we have ever been. Why? According to Bob Gass, it comes down one word - Appetites! The more we have, the more we want.

4. We think too small: Our life generally revolves around our work and mundane daily routines with the occasional ‘excitement’ of a night out for dinner or a movie. Not much to pray about there.

5. We don’t want to get involved: We pay the pastor to run the church, the missionaries to evangelize, and the government to care for the poor. They’ve got things well in hand, so why pray?

6. We’re afraid God might respond: If we do pray about something and God happens to respond, then we’re really on the spot, aren’t we? What if God wants to use us personally in answering the prayer? Our comfortable lives might be interrupted. Now it’s getting personal!

However, the reality is, Jesus fully expected prayer and our involvement in it to be personal. He Himself was a man of prayer – He led by example, an example He fully expects us to follow.

For now, we’ll leave the last word to DL Moody, who said: 'If you have so much business to attend to that you have no time to pray, depend upon it, you have more business on hand than God ever intended you should have.'

Don & Julie
With you on the journey