When my car’s empty light turns on, I am highly motivated to stop at a gas station on the way home from work. Even if my toddlers are screaming at me while I refuel, I’d hate the alternative: stuck on the side of the road with no escape from the two toddlers screaming at me.
We do things when we are motivated to do them. When we aren’t motivated enough, we don’t do things. It’s simple, obvious. So why say it?
Because a lot of things that we do are fueled by motivations that we haven’t examined well enough. If the motivations are misguided, we can find ourselves making bad choices. But, if we can’t articulate our motivations, if we don’t have a powerful enough motivator, we may not be making time for something that could radically transform our lives.
This often is true of my prayer life. Maybe it’s true of yours too.
What motivates you to pray?
If your answer is, “It’s what good Christians do, I want to be a good Christian,” you’re not alone.
Prayer is often a box to check, a non-negotiable action that you take part in. But you aren’t totally sure why you’re doing it, except that you know you need to.
But imagine how different it would look if your motivation to pray was more, well, motivating. More urgent, more like your empty light and less like a box to check.
What would it take for you to be highly motivated to pray, pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18), and pray with confidence (1 John 5:14-15)?
I asked different people in my community, “What motivates you to pray?” As people responded, I was encouraged by the diversity of reasons to pray. I also noticed one thing in common. Every one of them knew that prayer made a tangible difference in their life.
As you read their answers, I hope you are encouraged. I pray that their motivations for prayer will encourage you to see the power, necessity, and blessing that prayer is in the life of a Christian.
“I pray because I realize I can’t do things on my own. I pray because I actually don’t want to be alone. And I’m not. God is there. I’m so grateful.”
“Sometimes I don’t want to pray, this is when I know I need to do it most. When I’m stressed or feeling overwhelmed my flesh automatically wants to rebel. But once I go to God with whatever is on my heart, I can feel the weight of stress being lifted off. Not because my prayers were instantly answered, but because I know that the creator of all things, the one who loves me most, cares about what I care about and has a plan for me.”
“I want to pray because I want more of what Jesus had—to see my life in a continual connected oneness with God. Prayer is not just asking God for things. It’s an intentional, conscious connection with God. And I want more of that—more of God—in my life, my body, my awareness, my whole being. That’s why I pray.”
“Prayer changes my perspective. I live alone and pray often about my longing for marriage and a family. In the very act of bringing my lament to God, I am made aware of how sweet it is to be fully known and loved by my Creator. When I bring my desires to him, I am reminded of how he cares for me so intricately and will not withhold his best from me. When I bring my grief to God in prayer, I see time and time again that grief can coexist with gratitude and I can coexist with my good Father.”
“Prayer keeps me oriented to the spiritual realm when I’m going about my ordinary days, giving me a greater sense of purpose and depth.”
“Because Jesus wants to hear your prayer.”
“So you can always tell God your feelings and what you are thinking.”
“We pray that God works to keep people safe when we hear sirens.”
“Prayer makes your relationship with God stronger.”
“As a parent, I've never really felt like I'm in control. There's always chaos or something unexpected popping up. I don't actually want control, but I do often crave peace and rest and order. Several years ago, I started praying this when things were especially challenging, and I still say almost the same thing to God every day: Lord, show me how to lead and love these people well today, and then give me the courage and energy to do what you want me to do. All day. Amen. God is faithful to give me peace that he is with me. He opens my eyes to see things he is doing in me and in others. He truly is so good to me.”
“I pray because it’s so easy to believe in my daily life that I’m on my own. That it is up to me to solve all my problems and soothe the anxieties of being a good husband, dad, and co-worker. Prayer reminds me that I am not alone. I have a God who truly cares about my problems and is the only one who can really help me with them.”
“Through the gift of prayer, I can receive God’s unending love and experience a genuine relationship with my Creator. Prayer is an opportunity to be reunited with Jesus on this side of eternity, and I’ve witnessed how powerful that is. Over the past few years, I’ve seen the Lord turn my life around and I don’t think that would have happened if it weren’t for me consistently seeking time with him through prayer.”
“I pray when I feel scared or nervous about something at school or an event coming up. When I pray when I'm scared, I want comfort, and I know he'll listen to me and always be there for me. I also like to pray for people I know who are sick or hurt because I know God will help heal them. I ask God for forgiveness or ask him to help me change my attitude, or how I'm acting towards other people. I know he'll always forgive me and love me. I also pray because I want to thank God for the day, my food, or friends and family!!!”
“To be honest, prayer is often hard for me. I think I can do things better on my own. I want to be independent, self-sufficient and in control. Prayer forces me to concede control, to rely on God, and trust his plan over my own. It’s an opportunity for me to slow down, breathe, bring to God my worries and fears, deepen my faith, connect with my creator, and feel connected to others around me.
Lately, spending time in prayer has been a deep, growing reminder that I am chosen and loved by God. Prayer anchors that reality and empowers me to live in light of that wonderful truth!”
“I pray, ultimately because there is peace in knowing that there’s something greater than myself. I’m relinquishing control when I pray and being reminded that I have a Helper to guide my desires, emotions, and decisions. I also know that God is with me, no matter my circumstances, and when I pray, I feel connected to him. He has answered so many prayers in my life, big and small. Most of the time, he answers them in ways I’d never expect, but they’re always better than my own ideas.”
“As a child, there were times when I woke up in the night from a bad dream and felt scared - too scared to go downstairs to my parent's bedroom. So instead, I would call out, “Daddy, come pray with me!” through the floor vent in my bedroom, knowing that the sound of my voice would carry into my parents’ bedroom below. Without fail, a few minutes later, my dad would come up the dark stairwell and find me, tenderly comfort me and pray with me until I felt safe and fell asleep again.
I believed that the air vent was put there for the sole purpose of me calling out to my dad who would come be with me when I was sad, afraid or needed help.
As an adult, I pray for all the same reasons I did as a child. Though circumstances have changed, I still have the same emotions that need to be processed. Talking to God through prayer is no different than me calling out to my father to comfort me in my distress, and when I do, he answers me with his presence and my soul finds rest.”
When you have a powerful motivator, you will find yourself returning to prayer again and again, not out of obligation, but from genuine desire.
So. Why are you motivated to pray? Your answer could radically transform your life.
Are you feeling motivated to pray, but need help getting started? Use scripture! Learn how to pray simply and powerfully by using scripture.