10 Reasons to Become a Person of Prayer

Becoming a person of prayer is a journey the Holy Spirit initiates and authors. It is a process the Holy Spirit works out in our hearts and lives as we ask, seek and apply. A person who says, "Of course I pray, I'm a Christian," and does not yet spend consistent with God seeking God's face is not really a person of prayer. A person of prayer is someone whose life is saturated with a desire to pray, so much so that prayer seeps into every aspect of their lives. They consistently meet with God each day to pursue God's face, are often passionate worshipers, and love to pray with others for Kingdom initiatives. Let us explore 10 reasons why anyone who follows Jesus should become a person of prayer.

1. A person of prayer develops a closeness and intimacy with God

People of prayer often spend much time with God; time is given to prayer (speaking, waiting, listening, etc.), reading Scripture, praise, and living in a continual abiding relationship with the Triune God. Those who are willing to become a person of prayer are often more close and intimate to God than those whose lives are not yet saturated with prayer. But to those who enter the journey of becoming a person of prayer, a closeness and intimacy with God awaits that can be received by no other means. Becoming a person of prayer develops a closeness and intimacy with God.

2. A person of prayer more clearly hears God's voice

A fruit of closeness and intimacy with God is hearing God's voice more clearly. Jesus said that his sheep would recognize his voice (John 10:27). Recognizing Jesus' voice only comes from a closeness and intimacy with him. And the way we develop the ability to hear the voice of God more clearly is by growing in a relationship that comes out of being a person of prayer. It is so exciting when people of prayer literally hear the God of the universe speak to them individually, on a personal level. God wants nothing more than for His praying people to know Him in such a way that they recognize His voice on a consistent basis.

3. A person of prayer is more in-tune with the Holy Spirit

As a person's life becomes more saturated by prayer, he or she begins to recognize more and more the person, work and power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit becomes more and more a central figure in the life of a believer who is saturated with prayer. A person of prayer naturally encounters, recognizes and is synced with the Holy Spirit more directly because of a praying life. A praying life cultivates a space for the Holy Spirit to more fully fill and permeate a follower of Jesus for the purpose of being more in-tune with Spirit.

4. A person of prayer is equipped for Kingdom ministry

The Holy Spirit equips God's people for Kingdom ministry. Without the work and power of the Holy Spirit, Kingdom efforts and initiatives would be powerless and not transform people and communities (sound like the Western church?). People of prayer are often equipped by the Holy Spirit in spiritual gifts and power to make lasting change and transformation wherever the Spirit wills to move and work. Without prayer, the power of the Holy Spirit for Kingdom ministry will dry up and be empty. For example, Jesus reveals prayer is how we know what the Father wants us to do and say (John 5:19, 8:28), that certain demons can only be driven out by prayer (Mark 9:29), and that apart from an abiding (praying) relationship with Jesus, we can do no true Kingdom ministry at all (John 15:5). Prayer equips us for Kingdom ministry.

5. A person of prayer more readily partners with God for God's work in the world

People of prayer more often ready to partner with God for what God wants to do in the world. They tend to have a greater understanding of God's heart and plan which makes them more readily aware of what God is up in to and wants to do. People of prayer serve as channels for the Holy Spirit to move and work on the ground. God does not often work apart from prayer or His people because prayer and the people of God are what God has chosen to use to do His work in the world. So God is looking for people of prayer to partner with Him.

6. A person of prayer declares dependence on God

Prayer is declaring dependence on God. When we pray, we humble ourselves before God acknowledging that what we need can only come from God. So simply put, prayer is declaring dependence on God. The dependent life is full of faith, trust and adventure. When we recognize that God is the only one who can accomplish anything of Kingdom significance, we become more dependent on God, ever deepening our prayer life.

7. A person of prayer is filled and refreshed to love others from the Source

A person of prayer is naturally connected to the Source of what we need to love others well. As followers of Jesus, we are called to love everybody that God sovereignly places in our path. Some people are easier to love, while others such as our enemies, are much more difficult to love. Only love flowing from the Source can enable us to be refreshed to love others well, including those we dislike. People of prayer daily go to the Source, where they are filled and recharged to to love those they encounter.

8. A person of prayer is often filled with greater joy and peace

Spending time in God's presence as a person of prayer will develop a greater sense of joy and peace. In God's presence, we encounter the Spirit. And the Spirit naturally produces joy and peace in our hearts and lives as we remain connected to the vine, who is Jesus (John 15:1-8, Galatians 5:22-23). People of prayer often live with a greater sense of joy and peace because they are constantly inviting God into every part of their lives, including daily difficulties. They choose to trust God who is sovereign in all situations and working for their good in all things. And the joy and peace received from God not only fills their hearts, but touches those around them.

9. A person of prayer enjoys life more overall

All of the above reasons to become a person of prayer culminate a life that is much more enjoyable. When someone gives him/herself over to the Holy Spirit to become a person of prayer, their lives are much more enjoyable because they are no longer living for themselves, but are involved in God's story that is much bigger than their own. They are caught up into a relationship with God that brings the fullness of life Jesus promised (John 10:10).

10. A person of prayer more fully lives beyond his/herself for others and God's Kingdom

Ultimately, becoming a person of prayer means sacrificing one's time, energy and life to being saturated with prayer. At this point, people of prayer are no longer seeing how they can be fulfilled, but are now looking to bring Life to others and to advance God's Kingdom. A person of prayer is a living sacrifice unto God.


Becoming a person of prayer

Becoming a person of prayer is initiated and authored by the Holy Spirit and by our active participation in the process. If you are willing to leave the life of "Of course I pray, I'm a Christian," than becoming a person of prayer might be the direction you need to move in. This will take time and effort (remember, grace is not opposed to effort, it is opposed to earning), but you will not be disappointed as you enter a life of prayer with the Living God. If you decide to become a person of prayer, you will receive all of the rewards above, and so much more...

Consider reading Becoming a House of Prayer or 10 Tips for Praying to further explore becoming a person of prayer.


Holy Spirit, if we are willing, would you do whatever it takes to make me into a person of prayer. Amen.


You are invited to start a dialogue about becoming a person of prayer; please share your thoughts and reflections below.