THURSDAY, FIRST WEEK OF LENT - 2013

Scripture:

"Your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him." Matthew 6:8

Reflection:

God is all-knowing. His omniscience is one of the qualities that makes God...God. He knows what is in our hearts even before those things become our desires. He knows our struggles before we wrestle with them. He know our prayers before we even thought of praying them. If this is true, why even pray?

Prayer isn't for God's benefit - to inform him about our needs and the needs of others. Prayer is for our benefit. Prayer reminds us of our total dependence on God. It keeps us in touch with our Heavenly Father. He doesn't need to hear from us, but we need to hear from him. We need to be in his presence, listening, longing for more of him in our lives. We need to grow and spiritual growth takes place only in his presence. Prayer brings us to that place of his presence.

Prayer:
Lord, you are omniscient; you know the end from the beginning. We pray because we need you. We pray because we need to hear from you. We pray because we have a hunger and thirst that only you can satisfy. We pray that you might direct us, not that we might direct you. May we never forget these simple truths as we pray to you, the all-knowing God. Grant us humble hearts as we pray. Amen.