Matthew 6:7-8 by Jessie Holmes

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

As Jesus continues to teach about the Kingdom of God, He now addresses prayer. For those of us who live in the Kingdom of God, we don’t pray for the attention of others or using empty phrases trying to be heard. Jesus shares why with one statement: “YOUR Father KNOWS what you need before you ask Him.” In this statement, Jesus proclaims two truths.

First, the God that we are praying to is also OUR Father.  The focus of our prayers isn’t someone far off and unknown to us. We pray to our Father.  This understanding of our relationship with God implies that we aren’t just talking to some mystical being. When we pray, we communicate and commune with the creator of the universe who has an intimate relationship with us. He loves and cares about us, because we are His children and He is our Father.

Second, God already knows what is going on. When we pray, we are not informing our Father of anything He is not already aware of. This means that God, our Father, knows each of us intimately. He sees our pains, our needs, our brokenness, and makes Himself available for us to talk to. What an awesome Father!  

He knows us personally, loves us immensely, and has made Himself available to talk.

Have you talked to our Father today?Father, thank you for hearing and knowing the concerns of our hearts.