Why pray?
The call to ceaseless prayer — fellowship before petition.
Prayer is fellowship, not a transaction
Before prayer is asking, it is fellowship — the sharing of life with God. It is intimacy and partnership with a Father who delights to spend time with His children. The aim of prayer is not first to get something from God, but to be with God; answers grow out of relationship.
The divine romance
From the opening pages of Scripture, God prepares a world and calls it “very good” (Gen 1:31) — the backdrop to His pursuit of us. The whole story is a romance: a God who needs nothing, who nonetheless makes a people for Himself and walks with them in the cool of the day.
He waits for you
Here is a mystery: the God who needs nothing chooses to wait for the prayers of His people before He moves. “I sought for a man… that should stand in the gap.” (Ezek 22:30) Prayer is the appointed way He invites us to partner with Him in what He is doing on the earth.
Seek the Giver, not only the gifts
“Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” The reward of seeking is Himself. Presence first; answers second.
A door that is always open
We are invited into a ceaseless life of communion: “Pray without ceasing.” At the cross the veil was torn from top to bottom — the way in is open, and it is open now. “Behold, I stand at the door and knock.” The journey ahead is simply learning to walk through that open door.
A first prayer
Has prayer been duty or fellowship for you? Before the journey starts, name your truest moment of communion with God — and ask Him to make this an open door.
You can keep this and every reflection in the interactive journal on the map.