In the beginning, God
gave mankind a remarkable gift—free will. He created Adam from the dust
of the ground and gave him the freedom to choose whether to obey or
disobey. He placed the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the
garden and said, “of the tree... you
shall not eat” (Genesis 2:17). Yet Adam was not forced. He was
permitted to choose. That principle of freedom continues to this day.
And just as Adam had the ability to choose whether or not to obey, we
have the ability to choose whether or not to
pray.
James 4:2 says,
“You do not have because you do not
ask.” That’s free will. God will not force Himself into our lives.
He wants us to desire His presence, to seek Him by choice. Then verse 3
warns us that even when we do ask, we must ask in the right spirit:
“You ask and do not receive,
because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.”
Prayer is not about manipulating God into satisfying selfish
cravings—it’s about aligning our hearts with His.
David’s words in
Psalm 27:8 strike me deeply: “When
You said, ‘Seek My face,’ my heart said to You, ‘Your face, Lord, I will
seek.’” God is not distant or disinterested. He invites us—commands
us—to come into His presence. This is not a burdensome demand, but an
invitation into a relationship. Deuteronomy 4:29 promises,
“You will find Him if you seek Him
with all your heart and with all your soul.” God is not playing
hide and seek—He is looking for seekers. Those who long to be in His
presence will find Him there, every time.
When I am burdened,
I find comfort in Psalm 142:1–2:
“I cry out to the Lord with my voice... I pour out my complaint before
Him.” I’ve done that many times—poured out every fear, every
failure, every doubt. There’s something powerful in speaking to God from
the heart. It’s not about rehearsing the right words—it’s about honesty.
“Casting all your care upon Him,
for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). That verse is so precious to
me. The One who upholds the universe is willing to listen to my worries.
And when I suffer, I
turn to James 5:13: “Is anyone
among you suffering? Let him pray.” It doesn’t say, “Let him
complain” or “Let him give up”—it says, “Let him pray.” David knew this
well. In Psalm 30:10–12 he cried,
“Hear, O Lord... You have turned my mourning into dancing.” God
turned David’s sorrow into joy, and He can do the same for us. Psalm
107:19–20 reminds us again: “Then
they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them... He
sent His word and healed them.” God doesn’t ignore suffering—He
answers when His people cry out.
When temptation
knocks, I remember the example of Jesus in the garden. In Matthew
26:38–41, He said, “Watch and
pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but
the flesh is weak.” That verse hits me every time. My spirit wants
to do what’s right, but my flesh is weak. And Jesus knew that. He didn’t
say, “Fight harder.” He said, “Pray.” He also taught us to pray,
“Do not lead us into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one” (Matthew 6:13). God doesn’t tempt
us—James 1:13 makes that clear. But He will help us escape temptation. 1
Corinthians 10:13 promises, “God
is faithful... with the temptation will also make the way of escape,
that you may be able to bear it.” That promise gives me strength.
When I’m tempted, I pray. And God helps me endure.
Jesus also said in
John 16:24, “Ask, and you will
receive, that your joy may be full.” What a reason to pray—not just
to endure life, but to enjoy it. Psalm 21:6 says of God,
“You have made him exceedingly
glad with Your presence.” That gladness isn’t rooted in
circumstances—it comes from being with God. And that’s what prayer
does—it brings us into the presence of the One who fills us with joy.
Paul wrote in
Philippians 4:6–7, “Be anxious for
nothing, but in everything by prayer... let your requests be made known
to God.” The result? “The
peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts
and minds through Christ Jesus.” Peace like that is only found on
our knees. Prayer doesn’t always change our situation immediately—but it
always changes our perspective.
And what a privilege
it is to be heard by God. 1 Peter 3:12 assures us,
“The eyes of the Lord are on the
righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers.” God sees me. He
hears me. That alone is humbling. Proverbs 8:34 says,
“Blessed is the man who listens to
Me, watching daily at My gates.” When I seek Him daily, I am
blessed—not just in outcomes, but in nearness.
Jesus taught in
Matthew 6:6, “When you pray, go
into your room... and your Father who sees in secret will reward you
openly.” Prayer isn’t for show. It’s for intimacy. I love that God
rewards those who speak to Him—not with riches or applause, but with
Himself.
When I pray, I don’t
follow a checklist, but I do pour out my heart.
I tell the Lord how
much I love Him.
I thank Him for what He’s done.
I confess how much I need Him.
I share what’s in my heart.
I acknowledge my sins and ask for His mercy.
I lay my requests before Him.
And I praise Him for what He’s already doing.
Because I know He’s
listening. Not because I deserve it—but because He’s my Father.
So let me say this again, plainly and urgently:
Don’t leave your life to
chance.
Choose to pray.
Sermon Title: Why Should I
Choose to Pray?
Key Text:
James 4:2–3
Theme: God has given us
free will—including the choice to pray. Prayer is not automatic; it is a
decision. And when we choose to pray, we open the door to God’s
presence, power, and peace.
I. Prayer Is a Choice (James
4:2–3)
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God gives us free
will—He does not force us to pray.
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“You do not have
because you do not ask.”
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Prayer is an act
of faith and submission, not a ritual or formality.
II. Choose to Pray to Seek the
Lord (Psalm 27:8; Deuteronomy 4:29)
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Prayer is how we
draw near to God and dwell in His presence.
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David said,
“Your face, Lord,
I will seek.”
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God invites us to
seek Him with all our heart and soul.
III. Choose to Pray to Unburden
Your Heart (Psalm 142:1–2; 1 Peter 5:7)
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We can pour out
our complaints and troubles to the Lord.
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“Casting all
your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”
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God is not
overwhelmed by our burdens—He welcomes them.
IV. Choose to Pray to Be Free
from Suffering (James 5:13; Psalm 30:10–12; Psalm 107:19–20)
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Prayer brings
comfort in times of sorrow and distress.
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God hears,
heals, and delivers those who cry out to Him.
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“He turned my
mourning into dancing.”
V. Choose to Pray to Resist
Temptation (Matthew 26:41; Matthew 6:13; 1 Corinthians 10:13)
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Jesus warned:
“Watch
and pray, lest you enter into temptation.”
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Prayer is our
defense against the devil’s traps.
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God provides a
way of escape through faithful, humble prayer.
VI. Choose to Pray to Enjoy
Life (John 16:24; Psalm 21:6; Philippians 4:6–7)
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“Ask… that your
joy may be full.”
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Prayer produces
peace and fullness of joy that surpasses understanding.
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God’s presence
brings exceeding gladness.
VII. Prayer Is a Privilege (1
Peter 3:12; Proverbs 8:34; Matthew 6:6)
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God hears the
prayers of the righteous.
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He sees in
secret and rewards openly.
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When we speak to
God, we are speaking to the One who listens and responds.
VIII. What to Include in Your
Prayer Life
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Tell the Lord
how much you love Him.
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Thank Him for
all He has done.
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Confess your
dependence on Him.
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Pour out
everything in your heart.
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Confess sin and
ask for forgiveness.
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Make your
requests known.
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Praise Him for
working in your life.
Conclusion: Don’t Leave Your
Life to Chance—Choose to Pray
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God won’t force
His way into your life.
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Prayer is the
difference between carrying your burdens alone or sharing them with
the Almighty.
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He is
listening—if you will speak.
Invitation:
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Are you choosing
to pray—or choosing silence?
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If your
relationship with God is broken, choose today to seek His face.
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If you are ready
to obey the gospel, choose to come to the Father:
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If you are a Christian but have neglected prayer or
need the prayers of the church, now is the time to return.
Come now, as we stand and sing.
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