Why pray?
because prayer shifts our focus to God

there are so many times in our lives when we get so caught up in our problems..they're all we see. exams looming..can't seem to pass that wretched subject. ("i tell you! you don't do well in your Os/As, that's IT. you have NO FUTURE!!!") ..confusing relationships.."how come he hasn't msged me today. does he like me? he doesn't like me! i'm sure he doesn't like me!! -wail-")..perhaps family/financial issues. the world is seemingly bleak and the animals are going crazy.

how now?! look left, look right..things are just not looking good.
ever thought of looking up?

let me share with you something i've learnt that i will never forget.
remember when Jesus walked on water? Matthew 14:25-33

Jesus was walking on water and the disciples were afraid.that was completely understandable. i mean WHO walks on water?! then Peter said, "Lord, if that's you, bid me come!" and Jesus said, "Come." so, with his eyes on Jesus, Peter climbed out of the boat..and then he did the impossible. He walked on water.

at that time, the winds were blowing and howling, and that got Peter's attention. man, he was scared. then he started to sink..."Lord, save me!" and immediately, Jesus reached out and caught him.."You of little faith, why did you doubt?"

i think by now, in all thirteen.....fifteen...eighteen years of your life, you would know that these storms do come. satan will make the winds howl and blow. but will you believe me when i say that when you keep your eyes on Jesus, no matter how loudly the wind howls or how frightening the storm is, you will be able to do what the world cannot? when the storm comes, the world's natural reaction is to hide, whimper, cry..and admit defeat. when you look to Jesus, you can rise above that, and do the supernatural. when you look to Him, you find that you are above your fears and troubles.with such peace too.
Jesus asked Peter, "why did you doubt?" doubt is taking your eyes off Jesus.

so how do i keep my eyes on Jesus? stare at a poster of Jesus on my wall the whole day? keep a picture of Him in my wallet and whip it out to stare at it when i'm in need? no la (:

one of the ways we keep our eyes on Jesus, is to pray! when we pray, it shifts our focus off of ourselves and back to God. when your focus is on God, you realize your troubles are sooo tiny, in comparison to how good God is. i've experienced this so many,many times.and the cool psalmist guy in Psalm 77 did too! (i've hyperlinked the verses, don't be lazy,just click! haha.) as you read the psalm, you will realize that he starts off by expressing his distress and requests to God, but from verses 13-20 onwards, the "I" factor is gone..and he stops thinking about himself and starts worshipping God..and finally, in verse 20, he is no longer distressed, and he no longer doubts that God will indeed care and provide for him.
When you pray, God shifts your focus to Him.

you try (:
i've no doubt that when you turn your eyes to Jesus and pray instead of focusing on your troubles, you will have an increasing wonder of our beautiful God and your troubles will seem so small.

love!