If God already knows all things and is inevitably going to do His thing, why do we need to pray? And more importantly, why pray by keep seeking, asking, knocking? The simple answer is because it exhibits faith.

When we pray, we are allowing God time to transform our ways and thoughts into His, but we are also showing that by continuing to keep a matter before the lord asking and seeking Him on a matter that we trust Him, believe Him and depend upon Him. Faith – that is what God seeks from us.

What does God do with faith like this, He rewards it. Jesus gives such an illustration in the parable of the ungodly judge: “And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly.

However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?" (Lk 18:7-8) God is looking for people who will pray and pray believing no matter what and never give up on God.

WARNING!! Real prayer is talking to God, not to ourselves.

That is to say, just because we talk about a matter — doesn’t mean we are talking to God. If we think we are taking a matter to God, but depending on ourselves to work it, that’s pride and that’s talking to ourselves. Notice the difference between who and how the Pharisee (prideful) and tax collector (humble) pray: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and [prayed about himself]:…"But the tax collector stood at a distance. He…[and said, 'God], have mercy on me, a sinner.” Lke 18:10-1,13 God is looking for those who will pray to Him in faith. Who do you pray to?

Dr. William Burnham is pastor of Point of Grace Church in Covington. He can be reached at burnhamw@charter.net.