Guest Blogger Jeff Bell

Why pray if God already knows the outcome?

This is a great question. And I love the initial recognition of the “all-knowing” nature of God!

At times I’ve wrestled with this question myself. I even remember wondering if God just wanted us to pray to Him to “fulfill His ego”. Man was I off. My understanding of the purpose of prayer was the problem.

James 5:16 tells us to “pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective”. So without a doubt I believe that prayer can truly impact and change circumstances. The bigger issue though is that prayer is less about informing God and more about transforming me. Prayer is less about what I share with God and more about what happens in me as I share with Him. It’s more than just me asking for something; it’s me acknowledging that God is the source of the answer, the source of the hope. It’s more than just a conversation; it’s about a deepening trust, being authentic about my deepest needs and deepest desires to a God I can trust and rest in. It’s more than a scheduled routine; it’s about me seeking time in the presence of our sovereign, creator God. “You created me, You created everything, I can trust You with this.” This pleases God. This honors Him.

When we offer praise, ask for help, intercede for others, confess sins, or express our love and devotion to Him, we aren’t telling God anything He doesn’t already know. But doing so pleases Him, impacts us and impacts our view of God. And sometimes it even changes things.