false; it may not be in our timing (and we may be praying our own will rather than His)
7. List five reasons – with scripture references – for the importance of prayer.
1. Prayer is important because it is God’s will for you.
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. I Thessalonians 5:16-18
2. Prayer is important because it results in the fulfillment of desires of people who fear him.
The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them. Psalm 146:18-19
3. Persistent prayer is important because God responds by bringing about justice.
Then Jesus told his disciples comparable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said: “in a certain town that was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. And there was a window in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’ For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care about men, yet because this window keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually wear me out with her complaining!'” And the Lord said, “listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” Luke 18:1-8
4. Prayer is important because God hears.
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us – whatever we ask – we know that we have what we asked of him. I John 5:14-15
5. Prayer is important because it is a good work which is in line with God’s will.
I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. I Timothy 2:1-4