There have been many discussions as to whether people should pray or not. Some people pray when they want God to do something for them. It may be a request for anything ranging from winning the lottery, passing a test, or performing well in a competition. At times, people view God as a spiritual type of vending machine. Merely drop in a prayer and out pops what you want. People may become upset when God does not answer the way they would like, but James 4:2b-3 reads: "You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures." Sometimes, prayer comes in the form of a negotiation. "Please God, if you do this for me, I promise to..." But, isn't prayer more than that?

Prayer is simply communication with God. God speaks to His people through the Scriptures and they pray to Him. Prayer is a way to acknowledge God for who He is. It is also a way to thank Him for the blessings bestowed upon people. As Jesus walked with his disciples, they asked him to teach them to pray. Jesus responded with what is known as the Lord's Prayer. Jesus prayed for God's direction, that His will be done. He prayed for courage to carry out God's will and offered prayers of thanksgiving. Those who look to follow Jesus' example should do no less.

Since God already knows the outcome before it is asked, some think that prayer is unnecessary. People should pray because God is seeking to develop a close personal relationship with them. While prayer is not always about asking for what people want, they are encouraged to pray. Paul writes in Philippians 4:6: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."