Praying...

It's amazing how you can read a book, then pick it up to read again, and think, "I don't remember reading that". Anyway, I picked up The Power of a Praying Parent last night and read just a little ways into it before I could no longer hold my eyes open. I pray, I like to pray, it makes me feel "covered", I especially like to pray for my children. I have heard it asked, and been asked myself, "Why do we have to pray? I mean, if God knows our every want, need, desire, etc, why?" The truth is, I didn't know the exact reason, I know the Lord tells us to pray, and I feel good when I'm doing it, and and I want to obey the Lord. But last night while reading, I came across a great answer...

"God knows our thoughts and needs, but He responds to our prayers. That's because He always gives us a choice about everything, including whether we will trust Him and obey by praying in Jesus' name"

So, there you have it. Yes, he knows our needs, but we have free will. We don't have to follow or obey Him, including His request for us to pray for our needs. But, if you believe in Him, and desire to live for Him, then you want to obey Him, which includes praying and petitioning Him to cover us in all areas.
When we pray, it is also important to include scripture, because it is including God's promises in our requests. And, we always need to pray "In Jesus' name"...John 16:23 "Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you".
So, I encourage you to pick up the book, even the praying Wife version, or any version. We, as humans, have the desire to know why we need to do this or that, we are not that great (at least I'm not) at following and obeying without explanation. These books are great for that.
I hope to finish this book in the next few days, and be refreshed in my desire to pray even more :-)