基督徒为什么必须祷告？
Why must Christians pray?
简答 Short Answer
祷告是上帝命定的恩典途径，是信徒属灵呼吸的方式。不祷告不仅是违背命令，更是切断与上帝的生命连接。
Prayer is a means of grace ordained by God, the spiritual breathing of believers. Failing to pray is not only disobedience but cutting off our life-connection with God.
详细解答 Detailed Answer
第一，因为上帝命令我们祷告。保罗说「不住地祷告」（帖前5:17），耶稣讲比喻教导门徒「常常祷告，不可灰心」（路18:1）。这不是可选项，而是基督徒生命的必需品。
第二，因为祷告是上帝设立的恩典途径。与读经、圣礼并列，祷告是上帝用来坚固和滋养我们信心的方式。缺少祷告的基督徒就像不呼吸的人，属灵生命会枯萎。
第三，因为连耶稣自己都祷告。如果道成肉身的上帝之子都需要清早起来祷告（可1:35），在重大决定前通宵祷告（路6:12），在客西马尼园极其伤痛地祷告（路22:44），我们这些软弱的罪人怎能不祷告？
第四，因为我们的仇敌不睡觉。彼得警告说：「你们的仇敌魔鬼，如同吼叫的狮子，遍地游行，寻找可吞吃的人」（彼前5:8）。祷告是属灵争战中不可或缺的武器（弗6:18）。
不祷告是属灵的骄傲——它暗示我们可以靠自己应付生活。撒母耳说：「至于我，断不停止为你们祷告，以致得罪耶和华」（撒上12:23）。不祷告，就是得罪上帝。
First, because God commands us to pray. Paul says 'pray without ceasing' (1 Thess 5:17). Jesus taught His disciples to 'always pray and not lose heart' (Luke 18:1). This is not optional but essential to Christian life.
Second, because prayer is a means of grace God established. Alongside Scripture reading and sacraments, prayer is how God strengthens and nourishes our faith. A Christian without prayer is like a person not breathing — spiritual life withers.
Third, because even Jesus Himself prayed. If the incarnate Son of God rose early to pray (Mark 1:35), prayed all night before major decisions (Luke 6:12), and prayed in agony at Gethsemane (Luke 22:44), how can we weak sinners not pray?
Fourth, because our enemy never sleeps. Peter warns: 'Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour' (1 Pet 5:8). Prayer is indispensable in spiritual warfare (Eph 6:18).
Prayerlessness is spiritual pride — it implies we can handle life on our own. Samuel said: 'Far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you' (1 Sam 12:23). To not pray is to sin against God.