WHY PRAY ?

If God is sovereign and knows the end from the beginning, why does prayer matter? If the Lord is truly omnipotent and knows the intent of your heart, why come before Him?

1) Shelter - 

Prayer causes our relationship with God to deepen, resulting in a loving connection that protects us from the impact of this fallen world. Obedience to His will is our natural response as we linger in His presence and seek to walk by faith. When we shy away from the intimacy generated by prayer, we become vulnerable to sin ... Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. (Matthew 26:41) 

2) Discernment - 

When we kneel with hearts submitted to God, He allows us to see people and circumstances from His point of view. If our prayer life is surrendered to His Lordship, He aligns our will with His. We see things through His eyes and our petitions are heard, received, and answered accordingly. We gladly address Him as 'Father' and trust in His sovereign authority ... Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:9-10)

3) Growth - 

Spiritually immature people typically offer prayers that say what they would want to hear if they were God. As believers are mentored by experienced Christians, exposed to the truth found in Scripture, and sanctified by the Holy Spirit, prayer becomes the portal through which we gain assurance, purpose, and growth ... That you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. (Colossians 1:10)

Why pray? 

Prayer girds human weakness with divine strength, turns human folly into heavenly wisdom, and gives to troubled mortals the peace of God. (Spurgeon)

We are admonished to ... Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)