“Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” Matthew 6:8

I’m a parent and there are many times that my children would come up to me all prepared to ask me for something and I already knew what they were going to say. And of course, my answer was quick and to the point. It could have been anything from wanting a cookie before dinner (No) to going over to a friend’s house (After you finish your schoolwork).  Many times, it was about the location of a lost item like a shoe (under the couch) or homework (next to the computer). 

Sometimes the answers I gave weren’t the ones they wanted. They had a whole story ready to sell me on why I should let them have what their desired answer was. They were ready with arguments, rationalizations, and sometimes a bit of bribery. Yet as the parent, I knew what was best for my child and I had to stay true to that and not give in. 

Jesus teaches us how to pray today. He says that our Father in heaven knows what we need before we ask him. Notice He didn’t say He knows what we WANT but what we NEED. That’s a key point, because sometimes when I read this passage, my mind wants to substitute want for need instead. Yes, He is God and He does know what we are going to say before we say it, but part of the lesson Jesus wants us to grasp, before He gives us the perfect prayer of the ‘Our Father’, is that prayer is about our needs rather than just our desires. 

The Our Father prayer reminds us that we can trust God to see the bigger picture and look after our best interests even when we are too blinded to what those might be. Our wills want what they want and sometimes it’s hard to be happy with the answer He gives. But He is a good parent. In fact, He is the best. What would it be like to rest in His will for you each day and not want more than He knows you need? I know that’s a big ask but wow, what a game changer it could be.  

Reflection Questions: Read the Our Father prayer slowly and let yourself ponder each line. What stands out to you most in this prayer? Does any part of it hit you in a new way, when you consider that Jesus gave us this prayer right after reminding us that God knows what we need before we ask Him? Ask the Lord to help you trust more and start to look deeper at what you desire and see the need underneath. 

Prayer: Our Father, You have placed desires in my heart. Help me to discern which desires are from You and which are of my own making. And as I ponder this, help me to see what I truly need with Your eyes. I want to be in Your Will. Thank you for being the best Dad! Amen.