### 116. Q. Why do Christians need to pray?

**A**. Because prayer is the most important part of the thankfulness God requires of us.<sup>1</sup> And also because God will give his grace and Holy Spirit only to those who continually and with heartfelt longing ask God for these gifts and thank him for them.<sup>2</sup>

<sup>1</sup> [Ps. 50:14-15](/get-passage/Psalms+50:14-15); [116:12-19](/get-passage/Psalms+116:12-19); [1 Thess. 5:16-18](/get-passage/1+Thessalonians+5:16-18)
<sup>2</sup> [Matt. 7:7-8](/get-passage/Matthew+7:7-8); [Luke 11:9-13](/get-passage/Luke+11:9-13)