At some point, every follower of Jesus will receive advice to engage in prayer.  This advice might cause us to secretly ask ourselves, “Why pray?” Here’s a simple answer:

First, the Bible is very clear that God created mankind to have a relationship with Him. That’s why Jesus told us to address God as “Our Father” (Matthew 6:9, Luke 11:2). This does not mean we simply talk to Him; we’re invited to talk with Him. In fact, both Old and New Testament books in the Bible have many, many examples of conversations between God and individuals. Those human to heaven dialogues are full of small details and larger issues, because nothing we care about is insignificant to Him. 

God’s thoughts are not like our thoughts and His ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9), so every topic we bring to Him can be seen differently from heaven’s perspective. Wouldn’t you like to know what heaven thinks or is doing about your life, future, and family? Then pray!

God initiated a conversation with Adam by asking him a question (Gen 3: 9-19). He did the same thing with Eve. In other Bible verses, humans start the conversations by making a request, offering praise, or just sharing events from the day. These two-way conversations with the Godhead help us become more than ordinary human beings. Like Jesus—interacting with the Father enables us to grow daily in wisdom, maturity and favor with heaven and humans (Luke 2:52). Since Jesus’ death and resurrection, these conversations are facilitated by Holy Spirit. He shares Jesus’ and Father’s wisdom, knowledge and understanding with us. 

In addition to building and strengthening our connection with the Lord, praying enables us to fulfill the call on every human being to subdue the earth. We have a real enemy, who prowls around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour (1Pet 5:8). As believers in Jesus, our prayers have the power to invade any present area of darkness with heaven’s light. The Lord’s words in our mouths restore His kingdom on earth and set captives free. 

Our beloved Anne Huffman knew these truths. She pursued God through prayer with her whole heart, soul, mind and strength. Anyone who had the privilege to pray with Anne can testify that God spoke to her and through her. After she dialogued with God and listened to His responses, her words and actions silenced spiritual foes and changed people, atmospheres or situations. She shared His truths stated in the Bible as well as ongoing insights from our Father’s heart and mind. 

Anne taught and modeled how to listen to God’s voice, see Him in action, speak His words out, and do what He is doing. Every follower of Jesus has the potential to do the same through Holy Spirit’s presence in us. 

Even if Anne never prayed specifically with you, you are still the beneficiary of her prayers for our church body, our region, nation and world. Her prayers of fierce love, fearlessness in the face of the enemy’s lies and intimacy with God overflowed to us and affected all of us. We can honor her investment by continuing God’s commission to pray His will into the earth. 

Will we pray perfectly? Probably not—although Anne’s prayers are always perfect now. But don’t expect that of yourself or others. We all can feel awkward, stumble for words, and wish we could take back our clumsy sentences. But don’t let that stop you. The important thing is to check in with the Lord, then open your mouth and speak it out. Heaven (and Anne) will applaud you and hell will tremble in fear.