If God is Omniscient, then why pray?


Beloved in Christ, this kind of questions has affected the prayer life of many, because they are deficient in knowledge with respect to what the bible really teaches about prayer. Someone may ask, what is the essence of praying, if God is all knowing and already knows what we will pray for? If God is Omniscient and sovereign, why does he still require of us to pray? Why doesn't he just do certain things in our lives without our prayer, after all he is Omniscient and sovereign?

I think it is a logical question which must be answered biblically, so that those seeking answers will be satisfied.

Yes, God is Omniscient, sovereign and omnipotent, yet he requires us to pray. But why does he want us to pray, if he is all knowing?

Because, prayer is the primary means we communicate and fellowship with our father. 

Though God already knows from eternity past what we will pray for, and has already made provisions to meet our needs, yet, because he wants to fellowship with us, he bids us to come to him and to pour out our hearts before him in prayer, see (Hebrews 4; 15). He is Omniscient, yet, as his little children, He wants us to come and have deep fellowship with him, just like Jesus in the days of his flesh.

Though God is Omniscient, yet he has designed prayer as a means to obtain some of his blessings. 

God is all knowing and sovereign and still has ordained prayer to play a pivotal role in the outworkings of his divine purposes. For example, what will have happened to apostle Peter, if the church had not interceded for him? (Acts 12). We receive blessings from God when we pray, for he has promised to answer our prayers, provided they are consistent with his will.

This was what apostle John wrote: This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him-- 1 John 5; 14-15. 

We also read of Jabez of how he prayed earnestly and God answered his petition, see (1 Chronicles 4; 9-10). This means our prayers are not in vain, they have an impact in the outcome of certain events.

When we pray to God, it is a way of expressing our faith and total dependency on him, even though He is Omniscient 

God loves it when we depend on him solely, because it is a proof of our faith in him. It is a way of saying that we trust in none else, save in the Lord, for we believe he has the power to fulfill what he has promised concerning us in his infallible word.

We are to pray, because God commands us to pray, even though he is Omniscient. 

Since God is Omniscient and yet commands us to pray, it is an indication that prayer is something which is pleasing in his sight. We can see from the scriptures that the early disciples and apostles of Christ prayed, prayer played an indispensable role in their lives and ministry. Prayer is something that God himself has instituted and requires us to be devoted to it (Colossians 4; 2). Paul by the Spirit also tells us to pray without ceasing, see (1 Thessalonians 5; 17).

Though God is Omniscient yet he tells us in his word to pray, because prayer is a form of worship. 

When we pray to him, it is a way of declaring and acknowledging his deity and sovereignty over our lives. Prayer gives us the opportunity to also express our heartfelt gratitude and praises to his holy name. When we pray  to our God, we are in effect worshipping him for who he is.

Brethren in Christ, it is true that God is Omniscient, yet, do not allow his omniscience to serve as a barrier, or as an hindrance to your prayer life. One thing that I know and am fully convinced of is that a born again christian in whom dwells the Holy Spirit cannot, but pray. Therefore, brethren, let us be consistent with our prayer life, even though God is sovereign and all knowing. God bless you 

A thought to ponder 🤔 

Prayer is something that God himself has instituted and requires us to be devoted to it

We defend and exposit the truth of the gospel

Comments

  1. AnonymousNovember 4, 2025 at 10:47 AM

    Amen Lord that you command us to pray, amen for giving us the Holy Spirit to guide us to pray...

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousNovember 4, 2025 at 10:49 AM

    Brother Trona, in Christ-Jesus is Lord!

    ReplyDelete
  3. shadman's MusingsNovember 7, 2025 at 12:58 PM

    It's a lot like asking, if we are God's elect, why pray? But you are right to point this out because we don't pray enough. God bless, my friend.

    ReplyDelete

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