I have heard it been put forth: “Why should we pray if God already knows?”

I think that the Lord has shown me some things. As I was reading Psalm 139:4 as well as having in mind Genesis 3:8-13 (where God gave them the chance to speak even though He already knew), it dawned on me that since the great God of the universe (the God of the Bible; the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob) would be so willing to listen to me, would I then be the one to turn away from communing with Him by not praying? I realized that prayer is an incredible gift! We humans are too often scarcely willing to let another speak. And yet the God who knows what I will say before I even say it would deign to let me speak! How is it not an incredible gift? This has encouraged me greatly to pray.

My church recently had a preaching on Luke 18:1-8. As I studied the passage, I have come to understand that the reason we can and oughty to pray persistently is not for the sake of persistence alone but because of the hope we have in the Lord. Why pray if God already knows? Because His sovereignty, His character, and His love and willingness give us reason to pray. Because why would we pray to someone who would not listen, who is powerless, or cruel? We pray to a good God precisely because He is good. Praise be to the Lord. Amen!