Matthew 6:5-8 (NIV)
5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
Why is it that God waits for us to ask before he answers our prayers if he knows what we need already? This has often puzzled me over the years. Surely a God of love if he saw a need would just meet it? I wonder if it has something to do with his being our ‘Father’. When we’re babies, our parents give us what we need as soon as they’re aware of it. This is a one way relationship. But as we grow, they will often take a step back. It’s all part of helping a child grow and mature into an adult who is aware of their needs, and is able to respond to them themselves as appropriate and knows to ask for help when needed. This is a relationship of mutual respect, a two-way relationship. Could it be that God to relate to us as adults, showing us respect as we show respect back?
Dear Lord, thank you for your respect of me. Help me to mature in my faith in you by your Spirit, ready to come to you with my needs and praise as my Father.
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