If this is true... Why do we, as christians need to pray?

Question

Matthew 6:7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

If God knows what we need, even before we ask him - why doesn't he supply to our needs any way!

Answer 1

Imho, prayer is absolutely essential in the relationship with God. It's like talking to my father. Because my earthly father knows what my needs are (and suppose he could forever predict and provide me with everything I needed), is this a reason to keep silence and never talk to him? Moreover, I would never develop a thankful spirit towards the one that takes care of everything in my life even before I ask (I think, wise parents know that giving immediately at hand everything their children ask, develops spoiled and indifferent personalities in these kids).
Now, as to God, I think, everything He has, He has it for our own need and benefit. But He usually does not give it unless we ask. He knows that relationship with Him is what we really need and it is more crucial than just a give and take. It is talking with Him listening to Him enjoying Him, living with Him, loving Him. Many-many times (not to say most of them) in the scriptures you will see God responding to needs rather than taking the initiation. Of course, initiation belongs to God, because nothing really starts without him. If none prays, God will still see to accomplish His will, but what a chance for us to miss by not partaking to it.
I hope it helps and not puzzles more. It is a sensitive subject and my knowledge of the English language may very well fail me in my attempt to express my thoughts. But even if I do, I'm no Bible scholar or teacher or anything, so I may be way off the target. So please excuse me in advance.
God bless

Answer 2

I am not a Christian, but I do know one thing. The bible, like any other ancient good book, is like the motivational books of today. So praying is in a way a method of self-motivation. Here is what I mean by that.

It is written in the Bible (And in different ways, in the other good books of other religions), "the kingdom of heaven is within us." It simply means that God is within us. Often we forget this very important thing. All of these good books say the same thing over and over again, "god is within you!" Another words, don't imagin god to be up there somewhere in some heavenly place. We don't have to look for god elsewhere, because he is within us.

So then why do we need to pray?

It is simply to remind and to shake loose the god within us, "hey dummy, wake up! Its time to get all these things that I been praying for. And in case you don't remember, here is the list of the things that I want. So quit sitting around on your fat butt and go make it happen"

Thus, the old saying, "power of prayer" and the motivational value which is associated with prayer.

Get it?

Answer 3

Because God, being a Person, enjoys spending time with us.

Prayer is communication from us to God. It involves much more than petition (asking for whatever), although petition is certainly part of prayer.

When we pray, opening up our hearts and minds to God, we allow Him to touch us in ways we may not have thought of beforehand. Admitting that you have a need/want that you can't fill yourself is also humbling; you are aknowledgeing your dependence on God. It is also an exercise in trust: by placing your desires in His hands, you release some of your control to Someone who knows how to control all things.

Above all else: mature people communicate. The more maturity, the better the communication (hopefully), and the more frequent and rich.

Besides, who REALLY knows how many of our needs God already fills, without our knowledge or petition?

Would YOU want to be taken for granted?

Answer 4

It is not how much we pray or how much we say but what we say that is important to God. It is what I am asking for that is important . Do I know how to pray? I'm learning. Am I asking for a black sports car or a grateful heart?
Prayers I'm learning to say:
Father help me to see all the wonderful things You've made.. for me. And help me to be grateful.....help me become as a little child, friendly and loving - not critical and fearful. Please give me a brave and thankful heart...in Jesus name , Amen
There is a law of supply. If you draw near to God, He will teach you. I have learned that If I only have $4.00 and some change and I know it is not enough...and I hear God's voice, saying do a certain thing with this money even if it is all I have, I obey. This happened yesterday. I was helping a friend and when I got home I found that she had put $50 in my back pack.
God wants us to draw near to Him, to know Him and love Him and serve Him and learn how to pray.
Peace,
Cathy

Answer 5

According to Islam GOD love,s a person who pray,s and asking for what he need,s

If you are righteous one and obedient to GOD your prayer can change your luck as well

GOD said who ever you pray and asking for any thing even from stone,s i,ll give you accept forgiveness becouse forgiveness is is the top blessing from GOD

if i like because stone or any thing is nothing but you don't know but on the day of Resurrection you need to ask him forgiveness then there you will come to know that these are nothing but GOD

So its better to ask any thing from the only creator GOD Almighty
not Jesus not moses even not any thing is able to grant us accept GOD Almighty who is the Creator of all

i hope you understand for more read Glorious Quran & Hadith,s of Prophet Mohemmed (pbuh)

Answer 6

Ah...God wants us to pray so that we can grow closer in our walk with him..
He wants to teach us how to pray and not just blabber on the same sentence every day.. He wants us to be individuals and tell us what is in our heart.
He wants us to prove it to ourselves so to speak..
Look at it this way.. you ever had a spouse/friend whatever have a secret that you know... but they are too proud to tell you what it is.. So you know it... and you want them to tell you.. and you try to get them to tell you.. and you get annoyed when they say over and over, "it's nothing"??

I think prayer is the same way... God knows what is in our hearts.. but he wants us to humble ourselves and trust him enough to speak it out loud.. so that it no longer a festering secret..

Make sense?

Mathhew 6:7 says that when you pray in repitition the same old thing that it gets old.. and it isn't from your heart like it is supposed to be.. it's more of a chore and it is in vain.
It goes on to say that only heathens will continue to pray in this lazy vain way and not realize the mistake and they continue to think that they will be heard for the repitition.

Mathhew 6:8 cautions people not to pray that way because the Father (God) knows what is truly in your heart and he wants to hear it from you, even though he knows your wants.

Kind of like your parents when you were a kid wanted you to confess to doing your michief even though they already knew you had done it.

To go a little further... if you pray in mindless vain repititon, you are in a sense lying to god by not telling him what you truly need. That is a lie... and a sin...


Make sense?
Hope so..
You ask a valid question.. keep asking

Answer 7

For those who say that God answers prayer ... how many thousands of people were praying that hurricane Katrina would not harm New Orleans? How many people were praying that God would stop Hitler? How many people were praying in the twin towers in New York, asking for help? Pray all you want. God is too busy with other things, such as inspiring his preachers to kill other people (Pat Robertston and Chavez).

Answer 8

He knows it yes, but would anyone give you if you don't ask? He wants you to talk to Him and that He will feel special because you asked Him a favor. That's what all parents want, for their children to be open in communication as well as being a friend to them. As I always say, He is a personal God. He wants you to talk to Him, to ask Him favors, even share what you feel when you fail or pass your exams. We wants us to be open and close with Him. Hope I helped you and God bless.

Answer 9

Praying really isn't about getting what you want from God, it's accepting what he wants to give you. When Jesus prayed, he didn't ask for his will to be done. God only wants the best for us.

Answer 10

In order for Him to fill your need you must present it through
PRAYER & PETITION.

It is about you reaching out to God, personally.

If you go the store, you go to the store for what... You need something right.

As for the book of Matthew... it is referring to the people who are just praying for what they want because they want it, not that has any real value in enriching their lives. And the more they pray, the harder they pray, they just want it so bad, PLEASE GOD... PLEASE!

God wants to know you personally.
He loved you, He made you, He set you free, & He gave you a choice...
Are you to big now to back to Him? You just ask yourself that.