Prayer is personal communication with God.
Prayer includes; request for ourselves or others (intercession or petitions), confession of sin, adoration, praise and thanksgiving, and also God communicating to us indications of his response.
Why does God want us to pray? Prayer is an expression of faith, an acknowledgement of His existence, an expression of trust. God wants us to love him, trust him, and have fellowship with him. Our fellowship is in our prayer, our investment in the relationship is through our prayer.
Why do we ask?
You do not have, because you do not ask (James 4:2)
Ask and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. (Luke 11:9-10)
References in Matthew
How to pray; Mat 6:5-15
Reassurance; Mat 7:7-11, 21:22 (ask and it will be given)
Story of faith; Mat 8:5-13 (centurion’s servant)
Parable of Sower; Mat 13:1-9, 18-23
Prayer changes God; Mat 15:21-28 (faith of Canaanite woman)
Jesus Prays; Mat 26:36-46
Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. (Colossians 4:2)
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:16)
Pray for all people. (1 Timothy 2)
The prayer of faith. (James 5:13-18)
