Why Pray If God Knows What We Need?

Scripture Texts: Matthew 6:7-8, 31-34; John 14:13

The Question.

Matthew 6:7-8 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

To the casual reader of this verse it’s possible to think there is a contradiction in Jesus’ words.  On the one hand Jesus says, “When you pray” and on the other hand he says, “Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”  This second statement begs the question, “Why pray if God already knows what we need before we ask?”

Before I answer that question, I want to make the question harder to answer.  In other words, I want to be absolutely clear God really is sovereign and He really does know all things, control all things and has power over all things.  Listen to God’s own Word about His sovereignty.

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