Sarah Walker - April 15, 2018
Why and How Do I Pray?
Earlier this year, Christian aid organisation Tearfund commissioned a poll to discover who still prays in the UK in 2018. The results were fascinating, revealing that just over half of all adults in the UK pray. The study also found that one in five adults, despite saying they are not religious, still pray. Family tops the list of prayer subjects at 71%, followed by thanking God (42%), praying for healing (40%) and for friends (40%). Among the non-religious, personal crisis and desperation tends to be what prompts most people to pray with 24% of respondents saying it was a “last resort”. Despite people’s understanding of what prayer is, there is something interesting in these statistics. There’s something in us, as human beings, that longs to be connected to something greater. People, despite their religious standing, still want to reach out to a loving God and be heard. What many people tend to lose sight of, however, is that prayer is all about relationship. It’s recognition of where we sit in relationship with God and it is the communication that enables this relationship to flourish. Prayer isn’t a list of requests or about finding a solution to our problems. It is about pursuing an intimate relationship with the Father. As we continue looking at the foundational elements of our Christian faith, it becomes evident that prayer is one of the most important activities of our lives. In order to grow in relationship with God, we must understand what prayer is, why we should pray and how we can develop a vibrant prayer life that is consistent and thriving.
From Series: "Foundations"
13 messages delivered at different times throughout 2018 covering the basic questions about the Christian Faith. An essential primer for the beginning Christian.
