Why do we pray? David Platt

Why does the disciple of Jesus pray?

Because the disciple of Jesus craves communion with God.

Yet we are prone to miss this. Most of us have learned to pray and think about prayer as simply asking for things. "Bless me, help me, protect me, and provide for me" -- these are often the only words out of our mouths when we bow our heads.

Our prayers are filled with a list of things we need and the stuff we want.

Consequently, in prayer, we're pleased when God responds like we've asked and perplexed when He doesn't.

But what if prayer isn't primarily about giving God a to-do list? After all, Jesus tells His disciples that their 'Father knows what they need before they ask Him' (Matthew 6:8).

Apparently, God is not up in heaven with a pen and paper waiting for us to pray so that He can find out what our needs are.

Clearly, prayer involves something far deeper--and far more wonderful--than simply informing God of what He already knows.

The purpose of prayer is not for the disciple to bring information to God; the purpose of prayer is for the disciple to experience intimacy with God.

That's why Jesus says to his disciples, "Go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen" (Matthew 6:6).

Find a place, Jesus says. Set aside a time. Get alone with God. This one practice will utterly revolutionize your life--not just your prayer life, but your entire life.

For something happens that cannot be described in words when the disciple is alone with God.

In a quiet place, behind closed doors, when you or I commune with the infinitely great, indescribably good God of the universe, we experience a joy that no one or nothing in this world can even begin to compare to.

--From Follow Me, Chapter 5, by David Platt