Why do we pray?
Answer: Prayer is talking with God. When we have a good friend, we talk to that person about all sorts of things. That’s part of being a friend. In the same way, we should talk to God about what is happening in our life.
God wants us to share our life with him, to tell him about what makes us happy, sad, and afraid. He wants to know what we want and what we would like him to do, for ourself and for others.
Also, when we pray, we open ourself up to God so that he can make good changes in us.
Key verses: Don’t worry about anything. Instead, pray about everything. Tell God your needs, and don’t forget to thank him for his answers. If you do this, you will find God’s peace. It is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. God’s peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts as you trust in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)
Related verses: Luke 6:12; Acts 6:1-4; Ephesians 6:12-13; James 4:2
Related question: What is prayer?
Note to parents: Practical Christianity (LaVonne Neff and others, Tyndale House Publishers) and What Is Prayer? (Carolyn Nystrom, Moody Press) are two good resources for more on the topic of prayer.
Will god give children toys if they ask him for them?
A: Some people think God is there to give us toys and other things we want. But God doesn’t just hand out stuff to us. His purpose is to make us into people who are like Christ.
God really cares about us, and he knows what we need. Although toys seem important sometimes, there are other things that we need more. God also doesn’t want us to get our happiness from toys, but from him and from other people.
Key verses: You want what you don’t have. So you kill to get it! You long for what others have. So you start a fight to take it away! Why don’t you have what you want?
Because you don’t ask God for it. When you do ask you don’t get it because your whole aim is wrong. You want only what will make you happy. (James 4:2-3)
Related verses: Philippians 4:4-10; 1 Thessalonians 5:17
Related questions: If I pray for something, will God give it to me? Does God care about me?