Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

— 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

In my work as a college chaplain there is rarely a day when I am not asked to pray. Most students also express gratitude when I pray with them and for them. I often find they are crying when we finish praying.

But what is prayer? And does it do anything more than make us feel better?

A hymn writer, James Montgomery (1771-1854), wrote:

Prayer is the soul's sincere desire,uttered or unexpressed,the motion of a hidden firethat trembles in the breast.Prayer is the burden of a sigh,the falling of a tear,the upward glancing of an eyewhen none but God is near.

Why pray? It is the most important part of our gratitude to God for creating, redeeming, and sustaining us. It’s at the top of our “good works” we offer to God.

God is not looking for fancy prayers from his children. He is not looking for key words and phrases that follow formulas. God simply wants us to pray from the heart, acknowledging that he is the one true God who will not share his glory with another. God wants us to come to him with humility, expressing our reliance on him for life and breath and every good thing.

When we come to God in this way, he promises to hear our prayers and to answer them in ways that are often better than we could imagine.

Father, we come to you with praise and adoration. Thank you for your amazing love and care for us. May our lives be a never-ending prayer of gratitude to you. Amen.