Why do we pray?

We asked Salvationists across the territory what motivates them to speak with God in prayer.

Andile via Facebook

It is a commandment from God that we must pray all the time.

David and Joan, Exeter Temple

What was once a daily routine, when taught to pray at an early age, has increasingly over the years become an essential part of our lives, whether it’s seeking guidance from God, thanking him for our many blessings or praying on behalf of others.

Julia via Facebook

I pray because I can’t do any of this without Jesus by my side… He is my constant, my strength, my joy, my light. I simply need him. I can trust him with everything and for everything. Without my connection to God in prayer, it’s all a waste of time.

Katy via Facebook

Quite frankly, if I am not talking to God I become a complete nightmare, not nice to be around and life just doesn’t make sense. His presence is the thing that rights and centres me. Those who know and love me can tell by looking at me if I’ve not been praying. My daughter (5) says: ‘I pray because I get lonely if I don’t talk to Jesus and he might miss me if I don’t talk to him.

Lyn via Facebook

It keeps me connected to God, and it’s powerful. I can leave everything with him because he hears and answers! The words of this old chorus sum it up beautifully: ‘Prayer gently lifts me to highest Heaven, from Earth’s confusion to Jesus’ breast. My sin and weakness, my doubt and sorrow, are lost for ever in sweetest rest.

Margaret via Facebook

He helps me all the time.

Margaret via Facebook

I have a real passion for prayer. I know praying keeps me closer to God.

Mary and others, Knottingley

To thank him for everything he does for me and my family, and I feel closer to him when I pray.

To let someone know the things that really bother me that I may not want to say out loud to people.

Because I know he hears me and I will always get an answer. It might be a ‘no’ or a ‘not yet’, but it will always be the right answer, in which case I can trust him to give me acceptance and patience.

To draw close to God, to thank him for all his goodness to me, to bring people/situations to him for his help and to ask for his guidance in my life.

Mike via Facebook

As a man, my internal nature is to try and ‘fix’ everything and everyone. About 13 years ago, my mind finally said: ‘Enough, I can’t cope with this anymore!’ And, at the age of 50, I started to finally grow up and realise that I can’t do it all but God said ‘I can’, so now I pray when things are tough and I cannot cope with life, but I know he can, so I just hand it over to him… Just being in his presence is often enough for me.

Nicola via Facebook

It brings me close to God and helps me feel grounded. As I pray I feel his power listening to me and I can speak to him. As I live alone, praying makes me not feel alone! As my prayers often turn into a conversation with God, I feel close and understood and because of the power of prayers by myself or within Clapton Salvation Army’s weekly Zoom prayers or Sunday worship, I feel able to handle and negotiate my way through all that’s going on in my life and the world today.

Sue via Facebook

I just need Jesus. He is my all.

Valerie via Facebook

I speak to my Lord and Saviour because I can’t do life without him. He is my rock, my guide and my friend. It is a two-way conversation, in which I never fail to receive assurance and encouragement for my onward journey.