God created prayer for our benefit, not as a burden.  God appointed parents to pray because it is a privilege and a blessing to lift up the needs of our families before a God who is infinitely able to meet those needs.

Prayer was given by God to be a means by which we can express ourselves to Him and to draw strength from Him.  It is a way to connect the eternal soul living in each one of us to the One who created that soul.  Through prayer God stoops down to our level:

  • He listens to us.
  • He blesses us.
  • He gives to us.

God is a good Father who is rich and full and generous.  He loves to give good gifts to his children and to the earthly parents of His children.  Prayer gives us the tools needed to express our desires and needs to the One who can supply all needs.  As a perfect Father, God finds great pleasure in supplying the needs of His people.

Jesus said in Matthew 7:11, “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!”  When we pray, we admit our littleness and God’s greatness.

  • The nearer parents are  to God, the more they realize the overwhelming and eternal responsibility we’ve been given as parents.
  • But they also realize how abundant His resources really are.  God is awesome and powerful especially when we feel like we are poor and needy and without all the answers.

Let’s consider King David.  He was a man with great wealth and power and influence.  Listen to his words in Psalm 40:  “As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God!” – Ps 40:17