“And when you pray …”

- Jesus in Matthew 6:5, 6:6, 6:7

Why should we pray when God already knows what we need?

Firstly, Jesus is the one who told us that God already knows what we need (see Mt. 5:8). We got this idea from him. Yet he assumed that we would be praying. He expects it from us, encourages us to do it and even models for us what it should look like.

God’s knowledge wasn’t a barrier for Jesus. Why should it be a barrier for us?

Secondly, supplication exposes our hearts in a way that allows for formation. If I go to God with my real desires, he can shape them. This is what it means to “submit” our requests to the Lord. We offer him the desires of our hearts and in so doing we give him not only authority over our request but also authority over the heart that is doing the asking. If I deny my desires – or hide them – God will have to work elsewhere in my life to create transformation. And work he will.

God doesn’t just interact with our requests; he transforms the deepest desires in our hearts. Are you willing to submit your requests (and your heart along with them) to the Lord?

Lastly, prayer is a lever that generates change in history. In the mystery of prayer, multiple times in Scripture we see God change his mind. Prayer doesn’t run an end-around God’s power. But in the spiritual laws of physics there’s room for prayer to make a difference.

God has decided to honor our prayers by using them to change history. Why wouldn’t we join him in his work? 

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