Why Pray?

Prayer. A lot can be discussed concerning the topic of prayer. What is it? How do we pray? How does it work? Or what about when it seems to not work? We’re “supposed to” pray as believers, but why is it sometimes so boring? Is it that important?

While we cannot cover all of these questions here, we have a few thoughts to share regarding prayer. And we can recommend a few great books too.

We believe prayer is vital to hearing God’s voice which is key to 1) an intimate, vibrant, living relationship with God, and 2) effectively co-laboring with God to accomplish his will and purposes.

Since moving to Sun Valley to pioneer, a good amount of time has been spent in prayer. Honestly, at times it can feel like we “didn’t do anything,” we “just prayed.” Over and over again, God keeps impressing on us the importance of taking the time to talk and hear from Him.

In Dare to Live on the Edge, Loren Cunningham says, “There is a great difference between faith and presumption. Faith is based on hearing God’s voice and doing what He tells you to do. Presumption may appear to be spiritual on the surface, perhaps something you are “doing for God,” but in fact, you have moved out on your own without consulting Him.”

We have a high value in YWAM for hearing God’s voice. There are thousands of stories within YWAM of God speaking an idea or vision to someone, them pursuing it, and then seeing God move in amazing ways. How have we seen such incredible things happen? The key (for anyone, not just YWAMers) is prayer, prayer, prayer. The thing is, it is not just about hearing God to “get us started.” Getting an idea or vision is only the beginning. There are hundreds of questions about the who, what, where, when, and how when working towards a vision. It’s possible to be doing something “for God,” but be working on your own because of presumption in the details.

Quite frequently we have felt God’s caution to “not make any presumptions.” We must not presume that we will run a campus, schools, outreaches, etc. in the same ways we have in the past. We must not presume how God will provide, work and move in this vision for YWAM Sun Valley.

Now, I’m not saying we need a word from the Lord about which printer paper to buy. But I am saying that there are far more details to pray about than we often do. Too often we presume to know the way, we blaze ahead and then come to God with pleading prayers to help us. Rather, I believe God would have us walk closely with him, continually seeking his voice afresh and then moving forward in obedience and faith.

Along with our desire to walk closely with God and gain his direction, we also believe that what we’re trying to do here can only be done by God. Along with the practical work that we can do, spending time in prayer for YWAM Sun Valley is spiritual labor/work that is essential to furthering the vision. Joy Dawson says in her book Intercession, Thrilling & Fulfilling, “There is a spiritual law that just as in natural birth there is always travail, so in spiritual birth.” Prayer precedes a healthy spiritual birth!

I’ve found reflecting on the natural birth process helps process the spiritual life. Just think about what happens in the first trimester. The foundation for every body system is being formed. Women often feel nauseous and extremely fatigued. One could think, “Well, you don’t look pregnant! The baby’s so tiny, how could it have such an effect?” Ask a mom, growing a baby is a lot of work! And vital work. The formation happening in the first trimester is crucial to the future life and health of the baby.

We know that the formation has to continue to result in a healthy birth. The discomforts of nausea and fatigue may go away, only to be replaced with other discomforts. Swelling, soreness, heartburn, oh that it would end! But a mother prevails knowing each passing week is important for the development of a healthy baby.

“Premature births reduce survival rates.” (It’s Not Your Turn) Heather Thompson Day made this statement regarding the birth of spiritual things. In the natural, a fetus is potentially viable around 24 weeks gestation. Although a baby could survive, the risks and challenges are great. No one would wish to have their baby born prematurely. We want babies to remain (ideally) in the womb for the entire 9 months so that they are fully developed, healthy, and ready to be born.

The question is, do we allow the same appropriate time for the healthy development of spiritual things? How often do we rush the birth of something (a vision, a breakthrough, an answer to prayer) in our spiritual lives? We get tired, we’re uncomfortable, we’re impatient, or we’re excited. So we presume, we charge ahead, we take over, and we “induce” the birth.

I believe God would say to us, “Be patient! I want to birth something good! Each developmental stage is crucial for the survival rate, so be patient and trust me. Press in, hear my voice, prevail in prayer, and have hope for the day of birth!”

Just as we cannot see all of the growth taking place inside a womb, we cannot always see the immediate effects of our prayers. But like a mother nurtures her body, knowing it is giving health to her baby, we continue to pray, knowing it is the lifeblood of the vision.

We hope that you are encouraged to press into prayer. We trust that as you seek God, He will reveal his thoughts, his will, and his way. That if you’ve made any presumptions, He is quick to forgive and loves to lead an open heart. And may God give you the patience to continue in prayer as you wait for your spiritual “birth.”

*To learn more about hearing God's voice, check out our book recommendations in the "Prayer" section: https://www.lorenandstephanie.com/books