Why Do I Need to Pray... Daily?
The question is, “Why do I need to pray...daily?” After I was given the idea to write this article, I was sitting at my desk thinking, what are some reasons to pray? Why do we, as youth, need to pray? I need to pray, for what? I am a good person. I don't do anything that is against the Bible and I attend church regularly. The facts are that the importance of prayer doesn’t have anything to do with whether or not you are a good person, if you go to church or even read your Bible everyday.
Jesus Christ is the Almighty God who created the universe and everything in it from nothing! He is an awesome God and we are His bride! He wakes us up every day! Every breathe we take is because of Him! The fact that you are reading this is only because of God and His grace! Every second of the day, everything you go through in life is because of God. Good and bad things alike.
If these are not good enough reasons for you to pray and get to know the Almighty God, read this scripture in Corinthians 4:16. “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.” This scripture is saying if we let our fleshly desires have their way and we don't renew our spirit daily, then we will not make it. The way you renew your spirit, is to pray.
I have gone through the trials and tribulations that all teenagers go through; I am only 19 years old. I have been offered alcohol, drugs, and sexual pleasures. In this day and age, those worldly pleasures are available to anyone at any given moment.
With that in mind, you may ask the question, “How can I survive without daily prayer?” The answer to that is simply, you can’t survive without daily prayer. The great thing about prayer is, even though He is the Almighty God, you talk to Him just like you would talk to a friend! You are just getting to know Him! You don’t have to say fancy words, just talk to Him!
Once you get to know the Lord more, you will begin to feel led to do things that will be different from anything you have ever done before. It might seem strange, but the Bible does say we are a peculiar people! Don’t be freaked out or scared by that feeling tugging you to call someone and tell them you are praying and thinking of them or when you feel like God is telling you to go pray for someone. These things are natural. That is how the Lord works and this is how He communicates to us what He wants us to do! You will also start hearing from Him by listening to the radio, reading a book, holding conversations with people, and many other ways! It is an amazing thing when you have a question and you turn on the radio and there is someone talking about that very issue that you are going through!
Once you begin to experience a daily walk with God, it is very possible to start taking His presence for granted. You should never take entering into God’s presence lightly…It is a GREAT privilege! He didn’t have to choose you, but He did. I am not worthy and you aren’t worthy. There is not anyone that deserves to be in the presence of God. We all were born in sin and only by God’s grace we get to spend time in His presence.
If you desire to have a relationship with God and you want your youth group and church to be like the book of Acts church, you must be able to separate yourself from the things that this world has to offer. The only way that is going to happen is for you to pray everyday! Not because you have to, but because you love God and you desire to know Him more!
Vince Stegall
Director of Endtime Youth Corps
