Our Great God is omniscient (all knowing). Scripture tells us that He knows the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10). So if God knows what we need before we ask, why should we even ask? What is the point of praying?
The point of prayer is not simply to get answers from God. Prayer reflects our relationship and oneness with God.
If we pray because we want specific answers, we will get exasperated. The answers come EVERY time, but not always in the way we expect, and our spiritual exasperation shows a refusal to identify ourselves with our Lord in prayer.
Here are the ways that God has responded to my prayers:
- Yes, that is in line with my will for you.
- Absolutely NOT my child, that is way off the mark.
- Yes, but I’m going to need you to wait while I develop you to receive the answer.
- Yes, but your answer will come in an uncommon way.
- Not a yes or a no, but I want to reveal (show you) something.
- No, but I will give you something better.
I understand that the purpose of praying to God is to be ONE with my Father and not to rule over Him with my short-sighted will!
It is Easter Monday and we are in a season of intentional reflection on the redemption that Christ gave us over 2000 years ago. I am drawn to remember the posture of prayer that Jesus exemplified for us.
“He walked away, about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.””
Luke 22:41-42 (NLT)
The honesty in Jesus’ prayer to the Father is incredible to see.
How many of us actually take our worries and suffering to God in prayer? How many of us would pray a prayer that is raw and honest about your situation before God…yet, seek ‘oneness’ with God by choosing His will over yours!
Jesus gives us the purpose of praying. Jesus gives us the purpose of asking. He tore the veil that once marred our access to God and our ability to ask without performing specific rituals.
In Matthew 6:5-14, where Jesus teaches us how to pray, He mentions ‘Father’ 6 times (NKJV version). If this does not numerically emphasise the importance of a Father-child relationship in prayer, Jesus then goes on to instruct, command, implore us to pray in a specific way: ‘In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your Name’ (Matthew 6:9).
So why ask and why pray to a God who knows the things you have need of before you ask Him? We ask in prayer because we have a Father. We pray from an honest relationship with Our Father.
Let us pray:
Lord Jesus Christ, thank You for the price You paid; that affords me the right to come boldly before the throne of Grace to make my honest requests. Thank you for making this relationship possible. Thank you for always answering my prayers and give me the grace to accept your answers even when they do not match my expectations. Thank you for teaching me how to pray and so I pray now:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
