Why pray? This is most likely a question we’ve all thought, whether or not we’ve ever voiced it out loud.

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 6:1–9a (ESV)

Why Pray?

As Christ-followers, we are all on a journey—a journey of walking with God through prayer. It’s a shared experience across the global Church, yet deeply personal for each one of us. So let me ask you a question: before the Lord, have you ever honestly asked Him, “Lord, why should I pray?”

I believe many of us would give thoughtful and scriptural answers if we were sitting in a circle having that conversation. But sometimes, in our private walk, we need to slow down and reflect more deeply. That’s what led me to Isaiah 6. From my own life and study, I’ve come to believe that the greatest privilege of prayer is this: to grow in the knowledge of and intimacy with our Triune God.

The greatest privilege of prayer is this: to grow in the knowledge of and intimacy with our Triune God.

And from that relationship, four powerful benefits pour into—and flow out of—our lives. We see these clearly reflected in Isaiah’s vision in chapter 6. Let’s walk through this together.

• We Worship More Deeply and Intimately

(Isaiah 6:1–3)

Isaiah sees the Lord “high and lifted up,” with His robe filling the temple and the seraphim calling out, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts.” It’s one of the most awe-inspiring images in Scripture. Though it doesn’t say exactly what Isaiah was doing, can you imagine standing in that room and doing anything but worshiping?

Isaiah is brought to his knees—emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually—by the presence of God’s holiness. This is what prayer is meant to do for us. It pulls us away from the noise of the world and places us face-to-face with the glory of our Creator.

Worship, then, is not simply something we do on Sundays. It becomes the primary activity of a life lived in communion with God. The more we pray, the more we know Him; the more we know Him, the deeper our worship becomes.

Worship, then, is not simply something we do on Sundays. It becomes the primary activity of a life lived in communion with God. The more we pray, the more we know Him; the more we know Him, the deeper our worship becomes.

• We Confess Our Sin Quickly and Completely

(Isaiah 6:4–5)

When Isaiah encounters the holiness of God, his immediate reaction isn’t to celebrate—it’s to confess: “Woe is me! For I am lost.” He sees God’s perfection, and it instantly reveals his imperfection. He recognizes his own sin and the sin of the people for whom he prophesies. This is affirmed by the end of verse 5, “for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!”

This is one of the most beautiful and often-overlooked aspects of prayer. When we pray in sincerity, in quiet moments of stillness, the Holy Spirit gently reveals what needs to change in us—not to condemn, but to restore. Isaiah doesn’t run from God in shame; instead, Isaiah is drawn close, confesses honestly and openly.

And what does God do? He doesn’t cast him out. Instead, He cleanses and restores him. This is our hope (God’s promise) too: that when we confess our sins, God is faithful to forgive. Prayer gives us the space to be real with God—to bring everything into the light and receive forgiveness, mercy, and grace in return.

Prayer gives us the space to be real with God—to bring everything into the light and receive forgiveness, mercy, and grace in return.

• We Submit and Obey Fully

(Isaiah 6:6–8)

The next part of this vision is breathtaking. A seraph takes a burning coal from the altar, touches Isaiah’s lips, and says, “Your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.” Isaiah’s sin is removed, and with it, his hesitation and fear.

Then God asks, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” And Isaiah, now transformed, doesn’t ask for the mission details. He simply says, “Here am I. Send me.”

This is what a clean heart does—it responds to God’s call with boldness and surrender. When we pray regularly, and honestly confess our sin, we are freed up to obey. We aren’t weighed down by guilt or paralyzed by fear. We’re ready to say “yes” even before we know the full question.

This is what a clean heart does—it responds to God’s call with boldness and surrender. When we pray regularly, and honestly confess our sin, we are freed up to obey.

• We Share God’s Word Boldly

(Isaiah 6:9a)

God responds to Isaiah’s willingness with a commission: “Go, and say to this people…”

When we walk closely with God through prayer, we begin to see the world through His eyes. We feel the burden He feels for the lost and broken. And just like Isaiah, we are called not to keep this intimacy to ourselves, but to share the truth boldly.

This doesn’t mean we all become preachers or missionaries. It means we carry God’s Word and love into our everyday relationships, our work, our families, and our communities.

Why Pray? Because All of Life in Christ Flows From It

So, why pray?

Because prayer is not just about asking for things. First and foremost, It is about beholding God, being changed by His holiness, and stepping into the calling He has placed on our lives.

Prayer is not just about asking for things. First and foremost, It is about beholding God, being changed by His holiness, and stepping into the calling He has placed on our lives.

When we pray:

• We worship more deeply and intimately.
• We confess our sins quickly and completely.
• We submit and obey to God’s will fully.
• We share His Word boldly with others.

All of life flows from these four truths.

So, I encourage you: spend time in Isaiah 6 this week. Meditate on Luke 5:1–11 as well—where Peter has a similar encounter with Christ that leaves him undone and ready to follow.

Let the presence of God reshape your prayer life. And let your prayer life reshape your whole life.

Let the presence of God reshape your prayer life. And let your prayer life reshape your whole life.

Copyright © 2025 Paul Meldrum. All rights reserved.