Creator, Father, King #176

When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN around a know-it-all?

This is someone who thinks they know something (or everything!) about everything, and they will be oh so happy to grace you with their astounding treasure trove of wisdom (even if, truthfully, their wisdom is neither astounding nor entirely wise).

There is Someone, though, who truly knows it all. By the capital S in Someone, you’ve probably guessed that we’re talking about God. He possesses all wisdom, but unlike human know-it-alls, God never uses this understanding pridefully. His omniscience is governed by his holiness, meaning he always uses his wisdom justly, benevolently, and for the good of his children.

But as we continue our study of prayer, this presents an interesting question: If God knows everything, then why should you pray? The answer will greatly help inform your prayer life.

What’s It Mean?

God is the eternal, omniscient Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has always existed and always will. There is nothing that escapes his knowledge, including the innermost thoughts of human hearts. Before a word is on our lips, he knows what we are going to say (Psalm 139:4 and today’s verse).

When you pray, you’re not telling him anything he doesn’t already know. Your prayers are not “Breaking Headline News!” to him about events in your life or the state of your heart.

In other words, prayer is for our benefit, not God’s. This is why we pray.

Prayer is about worship. God gave us prayer to glorify his name (Matthew 6:9) and increase our faith. Prayer humbles us. Prayer drives us to our knees for all of our needs. When we pray, it’s an inherent acknowledgment that we are not in control—and that’s a very good thing.

Prayer is a beautiful gift from God. It humbles prideful sinners with know-it-all tendencies like us and prompts us to seek the one who truly knows all. God’s omniscience shouldn’t stop you from praying. In fact, it should increase your faith and wonder as you consider his greatness. Pray for his glory and your good!

Now What?

Commit to beginning your prayers with adoration of God.

Did You Know?

In the first-century AD, both Jews and pagans alike said long-winded prayers, thinking God (or their many false gods) would be more impressed by lengthy orations. But Jesus corrected these erroneous practices during the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:5-8).