If God Already Knows Everything, Why Do We Need to Pray?

 

by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta

Jesus’ disciples saw their Master spend time in prayer. On more than one occasion, He separated Himself and spent the night talking to God. These followers saw the fellowship Jesus had with the Father, and they wanted to know how to do the same.

These men asked Jesus to teach them to pray, and He answered them with what we call the Lord’s Prayer or the Model Prayer. His instructions, given in Matthew chapter six, were preceded by the following verses.

And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. (Matthew 6:7–8 emphasis mine)

Jesus told His followers, and us, that vain repetition is not the way to talk to God. Prayer is not a recited formula, but a heart to heart conversation with our heavenly Father.

Why would Jesus tell us to pray if God already knows what we need? Multiple verses tell us to pray through all occasions. The Lord wouldn’t tell us to pray if we didn’t need this powerful assistance. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Here are 7 reasons we need to pray:

1. Praying shows us how to receive salvation. We can’t even be saved without praying, because we receive salvation through faith by confessing we are sinners and asking the Lord to come into our lives. (Romans 10:9)

2. Prayer connects us to God. We can’t have an intimate relationship with our heavenly Father if we don’t talk and listen to Him. (Psalm 17:6)

3. Prayer takes the focus off of self. This communication shows that we are dependent upon our Creator. (Proverbs 3:5–6)

4. Praying can open our minds to receive revelation from the Holy Spirit. Our limited minds need help. (Romans 8:26)

5. Prayer can help us understand the Bible. We can’t know God’s will if we don’t spend time in His Word and in fellowship with Him. (Matthew 4:4)

6. Praying can strengthen us against temptation. When Jesus prayed in Gethsemane, He asked His disciples to watch and pray so they wouldn’t enter into temptation. Praying can turn us away from fleshly desires and prevent temptation from taking root because our flesh is weak and we need supernatural help. (James 4:7)

7. Praying can reveal sin in our lives. At times, we may commit sin and not realize it. Letting God cleanse our hearts will show us what we need to resist. (Psalm 19:12)

After telling the twelve that God knows what we need before we ask, He told them to ask.

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. (Matthew 7:7-8)

Although God already knows what we need, asking Him shows our faith in His benevolence to meet our needs. (Mark 11:24)

What other Scriptures tell you how to pray? How does praying direct your life?

Join the conversation and share your thoughts.

If God already knows everything, we do we need to pray? (click to share on X)

Image by mleonascimento0 from Pixabay

An Independence Day Prayer to Heal Our Land

 

 by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta

We celebrate our country’s birthday on July 4 because that is the day the Declaration of Independence was approved by Congress.

But we don’t often contemplate the suffering the revolutionary patriots experienced to give birth to this country. A good exercise, not only during an Independence Day celebration, but anytime of year, would be to research the sacrifices of some of our founding fathers and the soldiers who fought the Revolutionary War.

If we answer the following questions, we can learn how to pray an Independence Day prayer. We can find information we may not have known that can show us more reasons to be thankful. We can discover more about the spirit behind the forces who opposed them, and what we can do about this invisible enemy that still threatens us today.  

Why was America founded?

When the men signed the Declaration, they endorsed their own death warrants. Had the war turned in favor of the British, every person whose name was on that document would have been hanged for treason.

They lost homes and fortunes. They lost family members. They suffered illnesses, cold, and starvation.

The troops fought without proper equipment, medical supplies, clothing, or food.

They were outnumbered on every level.

But by the grace of God, America was founded.

God blessed the efforts of those who were willing to fight so they could be released from tyranny and a king who made himself God. America would be a gateway to the world to promote the gospel of Jesus Christ and proclaim the freedom to worship our Supreme Creator without interference from the government.

The colonists created and signed the Declaration of Independence because the king of England violated their rights as citizens of Britain. One of those violations was that he wouldn’t allow worship except under a state sponsored church. The Revolutionary War was fought to bring freedom to America through the blessings of God Almighty.

Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. (Galatians 5:1 NKJV)

Where does the divisiveness of today originate?

Satan is the author of divisiveness. He is opposed to America because of our godly roots. He wants to stop anything that promotes the Lord. The divisiveness, racial tension, anger, violence, and hatred are all seeds he has planted. Because if American falls, the rest of the world will suffer too. The United States has brought aid to other countries, sent missionaries abroad, and defended the defenseless for centuries.

It is difficult to comprehend how some politicians and judges work so diligently to allow and promote the violence we see today. But it is because they don’t know God. They seed of evil is planted in them to the point that they are blind to what is good.

Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! (Isaiah 5:20 NKJV)

What can heal our land?

The revolutionary patriots suffered physically, emotionally and financially to create an independent nation. But no one has ever suffered as much as Jesus did. And His suffering was in place of ours to bring reconciliation to God. He is the only remedy to absolve the pain our country feels now. Jesus gave believers His identity so we can reflect His character on the earth and be a light to those around us. 

Our political, economic, and social sickness can only be healed if those who are spiritually blind have their eyes opened to God. He loves them too, and He wants them to be saved.

We are commanded to pray for those in authority over us. But that doesn’t mean we are to compromise our faith to accommodate those who are unbelievers (1 Timothy 2:12).

But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29)

Here is an Independence Day Prayer we can pray to heal our land

Father in heaven, we lift our nation up to You. We ask You to open the eyes of those who are blinded by the evil one. Please help us to live in the boldness of the Holy Spirit so we can proclaim liberty to the captives and return America to the founding principles she was born through. Give us courage to stand against evil in a way that reflects You.

May we honor authority only as that authority does not violate Your Word. May we stand in peace with words that are full of grace and seasoned with salt. We ask You to remove from office those in positions of leadership if they are not willing to stand for righteousness. Bring our land into healing and reconciliation through the blood of Your Son.

Protect those in positions of law enforcement who are in harm’s way as they put down violence. Give our leaders wisdom and discernment as they make decisions under stressful circumstances.

Thank You for the blessings You have rained upon the United States of America for hundreds of years. May we continue to abide in those blessings.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

When the fireworks are displayed in the sky on Independence Day, may every explosion bring joy to your heart that you live in a country that is still free. Only God can keep it that way. 

An Independence Day prayer to heal our land (click to share on X)

 Join the conversation and share your thoughts and prayers for America.

For more information on American history go to www.wallbuilders.com

You can listen to Truth and Liberty broadcasts here https://www.truthandliberty.net/watch-now?section=watch-now

Image by Pete Linforth from Pixabay

What Can We Learn From the Triumphs and Failures of Biblical Fathers?

 

by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta

I’m thankful the Lord tells us about the failures of some of the biblical characters. If we didn’t know about their struggles and sins, we would think they were perfect. This could make us feel like we could never be successful at obeying God.

These accounts were given to us as an example (1 Corinthians 10:11). We can learn from all the triumphs and failures of biblical fathers. The same lessons can apply to mothers, as well.

Here are few examples of how our ancient ancestor’s parenting mistakes brought consequences, but also how God’s mercy and grace brought redemption.

4 Lessons From a Clay Pot

 

by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta

I learned 4 lessons from a clay pot during a pottery demonstration.

I watched a potter spin the wheel with his foot. The talented hands worked the clay until it softened enough to form a pliable lump. Even though his hands moved and formed, the clay had to submit to the fingers pressing on it. If the clay was too hard, the bowl he wanted to create would not turn out like he planned.

The Practice of Biblical Meditation

 

by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta

As Christians, sometimes we hear the word “meditation” and we back off as if we are being pursued by a cult. We associate this practice with New Age religions. But is meditation a bad thing? 

The negative image comes from eastern religions that teach people to empty their minds, hum, and sit on the floor with their eyes closed.

But meditation simply means thinking about something. The difference in the benefit (or damage) is in what we think about. The practice of biblical meditation is in God's Word.

Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation. Listen to the voice of my cry, my King and my God: for to you I will pray. (Psalm 5:1 AKJV)

We can see from this Scripture that biblical meditation is thinking about God’s Word and praying.

2 Reasons Christ's Disciples Didn't Believe Mary's Resurrection Report

by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta

Even though Jesus warned the disciples more than once about the future suffering He would endure, they still didn't get it (Matthew 16:21).

Despite Christ’s warnings, His followers, like the rest of Israel, waited for a Messiah with military might. The Israelites conquered other nations and entered the Promised Land through war. Their history involved conquering and being conquered. Centuries later, when the Romans ruled over their country they assumed their long-awaited Messiah would rescue them through armed conflict.

The Master Teacher tried to prepare His companions for what lay ahead. But they couldn’t even stay awake to pray with Him in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Mary Magdalene was the first one Christ appeared to after the resurrection, and He gave her the task of proclaiming the good news that He was alive.

She went to the hidden followers and told them she had seen the Lord’s immortal body. They still didn’t pay attention to this eyewitness.

When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe it. (Mark 16:11)

Here are 2 possible reasons they doubted Mary's report.

How Does Perfect Love Cast Out Fear?

 

by Barbara Latta

What does the Bible mean when it talks about perfect love?

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. (1 John 4:18a NKJV)

I used to think the perfect love this verse talked about meant I had to display perfect love toward God and others for anxiety to leave me.

But after I heard someone explain this Scripture, the light came on in my mind. (Sometimes I'm slow!)

This verse speaks of God's love, not ours, because His love is the only perfection. We can't express perfect love no matter how close to Him we grow because we still have our flesh (mind and emotions) to deal with.

The second part of that verse says, But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. (1 John 4:18b)

How does perfect love cast out fear?