WHY PRAY WHEN GOD ALREADY KNOWS?

God is all-knowing. Psalm 139:4 says, “For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.” Matthew 6:8, “your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.” If God knows all things already, and knows what we need and what we will ask for, then why pray?

But this question can be answered in a positive and affirmative way which is biblical and God honouring: Since God already knows, and He knows all things, we ought all the more to pray. Why? It is because:

God Is Omnipotent and Omniscient

We are praying to God who is omnipotent and omniscient. We are not praying to someone who is somewhat powerful but to someone who is altogether powerful. Since God is all powerful and all knowing, there is even greater impetus to pray. We do not want to pray to someone who is limited or finite, but someone who is unlimited and infinite. We want to pray to someone whom we can trust and know for sure He is “able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Eph 3:20), someone whom we can totally believe and be confident in. We want to pray to a God who can do the impossible, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” (Luke 18:27). “For with God nothing shall be impossible.” (Luke 1:37).

God Commands Us to Pray

We are commanded to pray. Jesus said, “that men ought always to pray, and not to faint” (Luke 18:1). Paul commanded, “Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1 Thess 5:17–18).

There is a saying, “The Bible says it, that settles it, we believe it”; similarly, “God commands it, that settles it, we obey it.” As Mary said in John 2:5, “Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.” James 4:2 says, “ye have not, because ye ask not.” “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” (Luke 11:9–10).

Prayer Is a Means of Grace

Prayer is a means of grace. It is one of the ways whereby we draw spiritual strength from the Lord to live our life for Him. Hebrews 4:14–16 encourages us, “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” And if we ask for things that are good for us, our Father in heaven will surely give them to us, “If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” (Luke 11:11–13). For example, if we ask for the fruit of the Spirit, for “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance” (Gal 5:22–23), will He not give to us these graces freely and gladly? Surely He will as He promised.

Prayer Has a Sanctifying Influence

Prayer has a sanctifying influence. The truth sanctifies as Jesus prayed, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” (John 17:17). But it is not just the truth that sanctifies, prayer also sanctifies, “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints” (Eph 6:18).

The Holy Spirit has a sanctifying ministry in the life of a believer. When we pray, the Spirit goes to work by using the Scriptures to sanctify us, to guide us into His truth, to mould our minds and move our hearts to be more and more conformed to the wisdom and will of God, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.” (John 16:13–15). “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” (Rom 8:26–27). That was why the psalmist prayed, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Ps 139:23–24). JK

MINISTRY TO THE OLD FOLKS

Deborah Mae

In 2008, my mother passed away in the US. It was after I came back from her funeral that I realised that old people were very lonely. They needed company more than anything. I then decided to visit an old folks’ home, to comfort the people there and befriend them with the Gospel and hymns.

So one day I took my guitar and went to the Ling Kwang Home for Senior Citizens at Serangoon Garden Way. I spoke to the manager there and told him that I would like to sing to the old people one on one. And that was what I did. When the manager popped in and heard me sing, he thought I should sing to everyone during the morning devotion service. It was conducted by one of the pastors every Friday morning. Most of the old folks were wheel-chair bound.

I also went to the St John’s Home for Elderly Persons and did the same thing. I sang there every Tuesday morning. When more people started coming to hear me sing, I knew I needed help. So during a prayer meeting, I spoke about this ministry and invited True Lifers to join me. Sister Jenny Kan responded and we ministered together for many years. More recently, Rev Jose Lagapa and Rev Jianwei helped to preach the Word of God. And when they were busy elsewhere, God sent Pr William Goh and Pr Micah Yap to help preach. Sister Sok Sin also helps to interpret when she can.

Thank God for preserving this ministry. By His grace, many have been blessed. Some were converted and baptised.

Truly, our Father in Heaven works all things “together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).