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?

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

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