Why Pray When God Knows Our Needs?

If God already knows our need, why do we need to pray? Some people have said that our prayers unleash the power of God, but consider Isaiah 65:24, “And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.” That day isn’t here yet, but it doesn’t look like our prayers are necessary to unleash God’s power. God’s power isn’t on a leash. He can answer our prayers before we pray. God knows our prayers before we do. God wants the best for us. What then is the purpose of prayer, since we aren’t telling God something he doesn’t already know and we aren’t asking for something he doesn’t already want to give us (assuming we’re praying a prayer he will answer)?

It all goes back to the Garden. When Adam sinned, he decided he didn’t need God. Ever since, our natural thought is that we can get by without God. If God were to give us everything we needed and/or desired without us asking for it, we would think we were God. Think about it. If you decided you wanted an ice cream cone and one appeared in front of you, you would think that it was something you had done. People in the psychic community would call this apportation. But how many of them would attribute it to God? No, they would attribute it to something the mind is able to do or to some spirit, perhaps that of a dead ancestor.

When you want to receive credit for something, wait until people realize they can’t do it without you and ask for your help. God doesn’t want us taking credit for the things that he has done. Effective prayer requires us to recognize that God has the ability to solve our problems when we do not. Though he sometimes blesses us anyway, we’re more likely to receive what we ask when we have reached the point where we will praise him for the blessing he gives us.

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