Postures of Prayer
Erik Baker
Day 1 of 3: God Already Knows
“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. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him."
-Matthew 6:7-8 (ESV)
Jesus’s words here remind us of a crucial truth in our prayer lives: prayer cannot be fueled by the fear that God has not been paying attention. God is already paying attention to us. Our words to Him change nothing about what God already knows. So when we turn prayer into just a fear-filled activity — as if God will somehow neglect us if we forget to pray to Him — we are ultimately missing out on the relationship Jesus wants us to have with the Father.
Prayer celebrates the reality that God is already paying attention to us. Jesus reminds us of this. He says "your Father already knows what you need before you ask Him." Not as you ask Him. Not after you ask Him. Before.
Think about that. God has paid such perfect attention to you that He already knows every need of yours. Amazing!
What would our prayer lives be like if we recognized this better? Might they become acts of celebration and worship? Might they become experiences of God's heavenly love?
Today, let us remember the truth that God already knows our needs. I challenge all of us to put aside our petitions for a day and instead celebrate — in our prayers — the reality that God has already paid us perfect attention. Sure, petitions are good, but let's learn to pray as believers in the truth of Christ's gospel. Then, when we return to our petitions, they will be faith-filled, truth-believing, and God-glorifying.
Erik Baker
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