Rebecca et Eliézer by Alexandre Cabanel c.1883
“Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray then like this: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.’”
Our Master Yeshua teaches us that HaShem knows what we need before we ask, and yet he instructs us to pray anyway.
Why do we have to ask God for things He already knows we need?
I believe the story of Avraham’s servant helps us understand one reason.
After Sarah’s death and burial, Avraham Avinu turns his attention to finding a wife for his son. He calls his servant and tells him to find a wife for Yitzhak among Avraham’s kinsmen. Avraham assures him that God will “send his angel before you, and you shall take a wife for my son from there” (Genesis 24:7).
The trusted servant makes a solemn oath, prepares the camels, gathers gifts, and sets out for Mesopotamia, to the city of Nahor.
When he arrives, the Torah tells us that he prayed in his heart that HaShem would grant him success and show steadfast love to his master Avraham.
“Before he had finished speaking, behold, Rebekah…came out with her water jar on her shoulder.”
—Genesis 24:15
Why did Avraham’s servant pray when Avraham had already told him HaShem would send an angel ahead of him?
Because despite understanding his mission, despite his preparations, despite even Avraham’s assurance of an angel preparing the way, he could not guarantee the outcome.
Where would this woman be? How could he identify her? Even if he found her, would she agree to the marriage?
So he turned to HaShem in prayer.
Sefer HaChinukh explains that prayer helps fix within our thoughts the truth that God is good, that His eyes are open upon our ways, and that:
“He hears our cries to Him at all times and at every instant—‘He does not slumber and He does not sleep, the Guardian of Israel.’”
—Sefer HaChinukh 433
HaShem already knows our needs, as Yeshua teaches. When we bring them before Him in prayer, we put our trust into practice. We are saying, “Father, I believe You hear me. I am looking to You for help. I know You are able to help.”
Prayer strengthens our recognition that HaShem is good, that He cares about our lives, that He hears us, and that He has the power to help us according to His will.
Imagine your child is worried about their first day at a new school. You already know they are nervous. Then they sit beside you and say, “Daddy, I’m scared. Will you come with me?”
Wouldn’t you welcome those words? Your child is trusting you with their fear and asking for your help.
Yeshua asks:
“Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”
—Matthew 7:9–11
When we pray, we bring our Father the concerns He already sees and ask Him to help us through them.
We do not always know how HaShem will answer. We can still bring our needs before Him with confidence in His goodness.
This is what Avraham’s servant did. He knew the task before him. He prepared. He took action. Then he asked God for a successful outcome.
Perhaps there is something in your life where you need HaShem’s help: finding the right person for marriage, deciding what school your children should attend, wondering whether you are in the right career, or facing some other decision whose outcome you cannot control.
Have you brought that concern before HaShem, or have you mostly been turning it over in your own mind?
Nothing is too little or too big for HaShem. The One who created the vastness of the universe also created you and knows your concerns.
Our Master teaches:
“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”
—Matthew 10:29–31
Your Father knows you and cares about your life. Bring Him the concern that is on your heart today.
Our heavenly Father, You know our every need before we ask. Help us to bring before You the concerns we’ve been carrying alone. Give us wisdom for the decisions before us and strength for what lies beyond our control. Teach us to ask with confidence in Your goodness and to entrust the outcome to You. May our prayers deepen our trust. Amen.
