Good Morning Friends,
Have you ever wondered why we pray when God already knows what we need? Jesus actually raises that very issue. He tells us that our Father “knows what you need before you ask him.” And then, almost in the same breath, Jesus says, “This, then, is how you should pray.” That sounds like a paradox. If God already knows, why ask? Perhaps it is because prayer was never primarily about giving God information. Prayer is about living in a relationship with God. And that leads us to ask: What Prayer Routine Does The Bible Give Us, And Why Pray If God Already Knows?
Scripture And Commentary: Matthew 6:5–13; Luke 11:1–13; 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18
Jesus teaches His disciples not to pray in order to impress others or to pile up words as though God must be persuaded. Our Father already knows what we need. Instead, Jesus gives us a pattern: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.” Prayer begins not with our problems, but with God. “Your kingdom come, your will be done.” Prayer brings our desires underneath God’s purposes. “Give us today our daily bread.” Prayer teaches daily dependence. “Forgive us our debts.” Prayer keeps us living by grace. “Lead us not into temptation.” Prayer recognizes that we need God’s guidance and protection. And Paul expands this from a moment into a way of life: “Pray continually.” The biblical routine, then, is both a regular time of focused prayer and an ongoing life of communion with God.
Message: Jesus is the model and Jesus prayed regularly. He prayed early in the morning. He withdrew to lonely places. He prayed before major decisions. He prayed with His disciples. He prayed in Gethsemane. And from the cross, Jesus prayed. Remarkably, the Son who knew the Father most intimately was also the One who prayed most deeply. That tells us something. Prayer isn’t merely asking God to change circumstances. Prayer is one of God’s primary ways of changing us. When Jesus teaches us to pray, “Your will be done,” we aren’t informing God of His will. We are submitting our will to God. When we pray for daily bread, we remember who provides it. When we confess our sins, we remember how desperately we need grace.When we pray for others, their burdens begin to become our burdens.Perhaps this is why Scripture says to pray continually. Prayer slowly moves God from the periphery of our lives to the center. God already knows what tomorrow holds. We don’t. God already knows what we need. We often don’t. God already knows His purposes. We are still learning to trust them. So we pray. Not to awaken a sleeping God. Not to persuade a reluctant Father. Not because God needs information. We pray because we need God.
And So, consider what a simple biblical rhythm of prayer might be: Praying in the Morning: Father, what would You have me do today? Praying throughout the day: Lord Jesus, walk with me in this. Praying in the Evening: Thank You. Forgive me. Show me where You were present today. And beneath it all, the prayer Jesus gave us. Prayer is therefore less like sending God a list and more like walking through the day holding the Father’s hand. And perhaps the greatest mystery of prayer is this: We enter prayer hoping God will change our circumstances, only to discover that God is changing us. Let us pray.
Pray Father, we realize You know what we need before we ask.
Pray You teach us, nevertheless, to pray. Pray You teach us to seek Your presence before Your provision, Your kingdom before our comfort, Your will before our own. Pray You give us our daily bread of Scripture that inspires us. Pray You forgive us as we forgive others. Pray You guide us when we cannot see the way. Pray You protect us when temptation comes. Pray that through the ordinary rhythm of prayer, You shape us into people who know You, trust You, and recognize Your presence throughout the day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Blessings,
John Lawson
