When Should We Pray?

Prayer. It should be our first response, not our last resort. We should pray before, during and after things arise. A decision we need to make. A difficult spot we find ourselves in. Any and every situation can be covered by prayer.

The Bible tells us to pray without ceasing.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 New Living Translation (NLT)
¹⁷ Never stop praying.

God wants us to come to Him with our prayers and petitions.

Philippians 4:6 Amplified Bible (AMP)
⁶ Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God.

God wants us to come to Him in times of trouble. That we do not lose faith, or become an unbeliever.

Psalm 50:15 New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁵ Then call on me when you are in trouble,
    and I will rescue you,
    and you will give me glory.”

 

Pray when we are prosperous. That we do not become boastful or proud.

 

Deuteronomy 8:18 The Message (MSG)

^17-18 If you start thinking to yourselves, “I did all this. And all by myself. I’m rich. It’s all mine!”—well, think again. Remember that God, your God, gave you the strength to produce all this wealth so as to confirm the covenant that he promised to your ancestors—as it is today.

 

Pray when we are facing danger, so we don't become afraid or doubt God's protection.

 

Isaiah 41:10 Amplified Bible (AMP)

¹⁰ 
‘Do not fear [anything], for I am with you;
Do not be afraid, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, be assured I will help you;
I will certainly take hold of you with My righteous right hand.

 

Pray when we are feeling secure. That we have everything under control. Pray that we do not become self sufficient and have no need for God.

 

2 Corinthians 3:5 Amplified Bible (AMP)⁵ Not that we are sufficiently qualified in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency and qualifications come from God.

See. We are to pray in all circumstances. The good & the bad. If we pray believing that God will answer, He will hear us. The answer may not be the one that we wanted, but God knows what we need. His will be done, not mine!
Amen!