Prayer: Your Father Already Knows

Are longer prayers better? Do more words increase the chances that God will hear you? No!

Long ago, God’s prophet Elijah had a showdown with the false prophets of Baal. Each side agreed to pray to their God, and the God who answered would be the true God. The prophets of Baal shouted and danced and prayed to Baal for hours. Did they get any answer? No! 

Elijah just said one little prayer: “Answer me, LORD, answer me, so these people will know that you, LORD, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again” (1 Kings 18:37). Did God answer? Yes!

Jesus says: “When you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words” (Matthew 6:7). Sound familiar? That’s what the prophets of Baal did.

Instead, Jesus encourages: “Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him” (Matthew 6:8). Wow! Isn’t that great to hear? Your Father knows what you need before you ask.

You don’t have to convince God of what you need. God already has a perfect plan for your life. You don’t have to wear God down by repeating the same words again and again. He hears you the first time. He hears you every time! 

Instead, pour out your prayers to God and let your heart be at peace, because your Father knows what you need even before you ask him.