The Wording of Prayer • Devotion 4: A God that Knows
Pastor John Carter
“Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” Matthew 6:8
I am going to break this passage up into two aspects of thought. The first aspect is that the Father is God and God knows everything. The second aspect, which we will dive deeper into tomorrow, is the fact that God is identified as our Father that cares. Today’s title should give you an idea of the first aspect; it is the characteristic of God that He knows everything!
Consider that for a second and let it sink to your core. God knows everything! He knows your good and bad thoughts. He knows your good and bad deeds. He knows when we are faking it, and when we are not. He knows what you need versus what you want. He knows what is on your heart. He knows what burdens you are carrying now.
Have you ever had a conversation with someone who knew you so well that they understood where you were going in the conversation and could complete the thought for you? That is God, but in a completely amplified and intimate way. God not only knows the words, thoughts, and ideas, but He also knows the hurt, pain, and emotion that is connected to the words. He knows the difference between the face we put on for others and the authentic person we are on the inside.
I like how David puts it in Psalm 38:9, “O Lord, all my longing is before you; my sighing is not hidden from you.”
God knows when we are not okay; therefore, we do not have to pretend with Him. We can just be real and genuine.
In Psalm 69:17-20, David writes again about God’s character and that He knows it all, “Hide not your face from your servant, for I am in distress; make haste to answer me. Draw near to my soul, redeem me; ransom me because of my enemies! You know my reproach, and my shame and my dishonor; my foes are all known to you. Reproaches have broken my heart, so that I am in despair. I looked for pity, but there was none, and for comforters, but I found none.”
Psalm 69:32-33 continues, “When the humble see it they will be glad; you who seek God, let your hearts revive. For the Lord hears the needy and does not despise his own people who are prisoners.”
In this Psalm, David is walking through the aspects of sin that God knows. David does not hide the fact that there is sin in his life that brings shame, dishonor, and reproach.
Today, we are coming to grips with the fact that God knows, and I mean He knows everything. Take some time and really approach Him with that at the forefront of your prayers. This might mean you need to acknowledge some areas of shame, dishonor, and reproach. Confess these things to God and ask Him to help you not walk in sin. It could mean that you just need to let some things go and pour your burdens out to God. It is not like He does not know you are carrying them. It may be a deep longing you have that you desperately need to ask God to help you with. Please realize that He knows that longing exists already, so share it with Him.
In all the things we approach God with, our needs, wants, desires, and confessions, it is always important to realize that God knows our hearts. He knows our intent. The best way to approach Him is to be honest and be willing to take the instruction He gives you as the best thing for you. Let me leave you with this passage from Hebrews 12:10, “For they [earthly fathers] disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he [heavenly Father] disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.”