And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. (Matthew 6:7-8)

He Knows What We Need

Prayer is the privilege of going to the Creator of the world and asking for supplications, needs, protection, and guidance. Few people can do that because this joy is afforded only to those who are children of God. When a person obeys the gospel of Jesus Christ, they become a child of God and a heir of the promises of God. The storehouse of spiritual blessings is open wide for the one who can now call upon the Creator of the world as Father. Whatever need the Christian has will be measured by a Father’s love. Children often ask for things they do not need, and God is no exception. He is not a vending machine dispensing endless bounty to spoiled children. The Father will say no to the wishes of children who ask for the wrong things. But He will bless His children with His glory, knowing what they need before they ask.

Jesus says the Heavenly Father knows what His children need before they ask. God is not an inattentive Father unaware of what is going on in the lives of His family. Earthly fathers can struggle to know and understand everything that impacts the lives of their children. A father can become so busy with life’s affairs that he fails to notice signs of trouble in his children’s lives or misses opportunities to help them. Earthly fathers are limited in the resources to care for every need of their child. This is not the case with the divine Father. God knows everything about His children, and He knows everything they need.

The care of the Heavenly Father is never ending. Out of the billions of souls that walk the face of the earth, God knows those who are His, their needs, their challenges, their hopes, their struggles – and He hears every one of their prayers. Nothing is missed. He forgets nothing. If a child of God is struggling to be faithful in China, God knows. When a Christian in Bulgaria is weeping over the death of a loved one, the Father loves and cares for His child. An aged saint is preparing to pass into eternity, and the Heavenly Father has angels waiting to carry her to the bosom of Abraham. A young man in America is struggling with addiction – the Father knows. When a family goes to worship on the first day of the week, the Heavenly Father tunes His heart to hear their voices.

God hears all the prayers of His children, and He knows what they need before they ask because, as a loving and caring Father, He watches over them. There is never a time when the Father does not see and know the needs of His children. His heart is broken when He sees one of His children drift away from His love. He is saddened for His children who return to the world and away from His grace. Like the prodigal, the Father waits patiently in the hopes the son will return; and when He does – rejoice with all the heavenly host. God knows what I need before I ask because He loves me and has given me great promises. When I fail, He will forgive me as I repent. He has promised that I can know that I will live with Him. What an incredible Father we serve.