Why Do We Pray

Songwriter Saturday 20 Why Do We Pray? © 2017 Music and Lyrics Steve Brennan Many songs ideas spring forth from conversations I’ve had with people surrounding various beliefs associated with my faith life. This is one that I pondered for quite a while before putting pen to paper with lyrics. A co-worker and I were discussing prayer, and he had drifted away from faith, because as he described it, ‘If you fervently pray for something, but you always have the caveat of God’s will be done, then why pray at all’? He asked basically, why pray, if God’s gonna do, what He’s gonna do anyway? A while later, my neighbors 9yr old daughter was diagnosed with DIPG, a form of brain cancer. A quick Google search disclosed that the survival rate currently was zero percent. It was devastating to think about it. Our small town came together in various ways to offer support to the family, and of course every church in town constantly sent out prayers for her healing. Knowing the seemingly impossible odds faced, prayer seemed trivial, and could even make young people question any belief in a higher power at all, if those prayers went unanswered. I know all the platitudes people put out there about why God doesn’t seem to answer our prayers, and how His ways are not our ways, but those just seemed to come up short on any reasonable explanation. Eventually I discerned that my perspective on prayer was misguided, and likely had been for most of my life. As a young person we were taught to pray for things/situations for an outcome-based type situation. But in reality, I know see the purpose of prayer is not about ‘getting what you want’ or even changing an outcome for others in their lives. Prayers sent that have no direct correlation on my own personal life. No, now I know the purpose for prayer, is to enter into a relationship with God in the most personal way. Prayers allow me to express my heartfelt pains or wishes to God, and as I surrender those longings or wishes to Him, and can fully rest in the knowledge that no matter the outcome, He is with me, guiding me, walking with me throughout whatever befalls me in life. Health, finances, relationships in life all come secondary to a relationship with our Creator. Thanks for listening, and I pray each of you find a relationship with God that works for you. Why Do We Pray © music and lyrics Steve Brennan