Why is prayer so important to Jesus and to us?

If we read the Bible, and I certainly hope that we do, we may notice that Jesus spent a great deal of time in prayer.  We see this especially when He is approaching great suffering and when He is getting ready to make a major decision and announce it (for example when He chooses His Apostles).
Jesus is the Lord of the universe.  In and of Himself He knows all things.  He does not really need to ask advice or grace from the Father, and yet Jesus spends a great deal of time in prayer.  Why?
Well, I can offer some thoughts, but let me start with this: if I am trying to model myself as a basketball player, I may copy the training routine of Michael Jordan.  If there is something in that regiment that I don’t understand I am still going to copy it.  It is certainly the case that I will get more out of the training if I understand it, but I think it is a good idea to copy the program even before I understand it.
So even if I don’t understand a component of a training regiment, I am going to follow it.  This logic certainly applies to the spiritual life.  Jesus Himself clearly regarded prayer as very important, and so it seems a good idea to follow His example.
Why is prayer so important to Jesus and to us?  I think the best way to explain prayer is with a quote from two great saints.  First, St. Therese of Lisieux, “For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy.”  So, prayer is inviting our hearts to soar to God without delay.
The second saint I would like to quote is St. John Vianney, “I look at him and he looks at me.”   I am not so good at this style of prayer.  I am more like a child unable to sit quietly.  My challenge is to learn to set my heart’s gaze at Him and revel in His gaze.
Finally, I would like to recount a very short story.  One evening I found my toddler daughter climbing up the stairs in my house.  Great effort was required for each step.  As I approached the stairs my daughter turned to me and raised her arms toward me, gesturing her desire to be picked up.  I complied and carried her to the top.
Maybe God is waiting to lift us to spiritual heights, but we must let our Daddy pick us up!
— Pat Arensberg is the Director of the Office of Evangelization and Family Life. Email him at [email protected]. For more information concerning the events of this office, visit us at mobilefaithformation.org.