To set the context, Jesus spoke the words quoted below immediately before He gave what we now call the Lord's Prayer:
Your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
-- Matthew 6:8
If God already knows what we need, why did Jesus teach his disciples to pray? Why did Jesus retire often to quiet places to pray? Why does the call to pray permeate the scriptures? What is the point of prayer if God already knows what we need and what we are praying about?
Prayer is not for God but for us. Make no mistake, I truly believe He knows what we need. We, however, need to remember where our blessings come from. We must not take grace for granted. God is not a vending machine. He wants us to talk to Him, build a relationship with Him, trust Him, and listen to Him. And so, He allows situations and trials to arise in our lives to bring us to Him with our needs and desires, from which we learn humility and gratitude. When we draw closer to our Father, the price is worth it.
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