Why Prayer Is Foundational to Following Jesus

As believers in Christ, our ultimate goal is to continually become more like Jesus. We pursue this by studying who He is and by practicing the rhythms He modeled in His life. Scripture reading, Sabbath, and service are all essential practices we can intentionally implement. But if we truly want to learn how to live, love, and lead like Jesus, we must recognize that prayer is not optional—it is foundational.

Prayer is often reduced to a simple definition, such as making requests to God. While prayer certainly includes asking, it is so much more than that. Prayer is Spirit-filled communication with the Creator of all things. It is a direct, personal address to God—an invitation into relationship, not merely a religious activity.

Prayer is where our relationship with God is deepened, our hearts are shaped, and our dependence on Him is reinforced. It is in prayer that we align our will with the Father’s, receive guidance, and draw strength for daily obedience. Without prayer, spiritual practices can become routine or hollow; with prayer, they become life-giving expressions of intimacy with God.

And when we find ourselves unsure of what to pray, at a loss for words, or uncertain of how to approach God, we are not left without guidance. Jesus Himself gave us a model for prayer—one that reveals both the heart of the Father and the posture we are invited to take before Him.

In Matthew 6:9–13, Jesus says:
“This, then, is how you should pray:
‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.’”

Jesus gives us the ultimate example of what a true relationship with the Father looks like. Yet on this side of heaven, that relationship can feel muddy and messy at times. Prayer is not about perfection, but persistence—continually coming before God with honest hearts. With that in mind, here are a few important reminders about prayer:

1.  Prayer helps us align our hopes and dreams with God’s “big plans.”
Through prayer, God is constantly shaping our hearts to desire His will over our own. As we bring our plans before Him, He gently refines and redirects them according to His purposes. Rather than asking God to bless our agendas, prayer teaches us to seek His—trusting that His ways are higher than ours (Proverbs 19:21; Matthew 6:10).

2. Prayer reminds us of our true identity in Christ and emphasizes our dependence on God.
Jesus understood what sustained Him. When the weight of suffering pressed in, He withdrew to pray, abiding in close communion with the Father. Through prayer, His relationship with the Father became the steady flow of life, strength, and provision that carried Him forward.

3. Prayer does not change God, but it changes the person who prays.
Prayer emphasizes our dependence on God and highlights the importance of faith in Him. As we place our trust in God, our faith pleases Him (Hebrews 11:6). Through prayer, that faith is strengthened, deepened, and formed within us.

4. Prayer is not just reserved for personal devotion or individual needs; it is also a powerful force in building and expanding the church.
The early church made prayer a priority, and their fruitfulness was a direct result of how they ordered their lives. Prayer was not secondary or occasional—it was central, shaping their unity, their power, and their witness to the world (Acts 1:14; Acts 2:42; Acts 6:2).

If we truly want to learn how to live, love, and lead like Jesus, we must learn that prayer is a key principle of the Christian life. And if you ever feel lost, unheard, or uncertain in prayer, take hope in this promise from James 5:16: “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”

Cover photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

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