I am praying to my heavenly Father to know what He knows.

Today’s Scripture: Matthew 6:8, NIV- “Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”

Are you seeking direction or have a decision to make? God already knows where we are to go and what we need to do next. We must simply pause and ask.

Matthew was teaching us how to pray and when he said, “do not be like them.” He was referring to those who use more words than listening. When we pray, we must resist our urge to spend the time telling God of our list of known needs, demands, and wishes and more time with our senses on high alert to receive His kingdom and will. Matthew 6:8 tells us that God already knows what we need before we ask Him, so let us not waste precious and sacred time telling God what we know and seek to know what He knows.

Re:generation Week 12, Day 5 lesson entitled “Daily Bread” brought me to these verses. Although Moses instructed the Israelites in Exodus 16:19 not to keep any of their daily bread, some did not listen and the manna became full or worms and stank.

Our instructions from God are also to be consumed each day or they too may become rotten. Since God knows what we need and how we are to help others, we can pray trusting the Holy Spirit to open our eyes to needs we may have been unaware.

We do not push back on our GPS’s giving us directions for every turn so we can certainly listen to God through every twist and turn, right? Unfortunately, like with our GPS, we sometimes think we know a better route than the one God has for us.

Jesus instructed us in John 6:27 “Do not work for food that perishes, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on Him God the Father has placed His seal of approval.”  (BSB) Furthermore, in John 6:35 “Jesus answered, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never hunger, and whoever believes in Me will never thirst.” (BSB)

Jesus promises us in John 6:45, “It is written in the Prophets: ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard the Father and learned from Him comes to Me.” (BSB) Jesus was referring to Isaiah 54:13 “All your children shall be taught by the Lord, And great shall be the peace of your children.” (NKJV)

Do you want peace? When we pause at every new decision or direction and believe that the Lord will teach us the pathway to peace, we end up in the right place. When we believe that Jesus is the bread of life that came down from heaven, we will act on eternal works and not starve on what this world is attempting to feed us.

Will you ask God to teach you and feed you today?

Today’s Prayer: Thank You heavenly Father for knowing our hearts and feeding our souls. I am pausing now to ask You what I am to do next. I do believe that Jesus is the bread of life that came from heaven and Your Spirit gives us life today. Show me now the works You know I must complete to fulfill Your will and bring You glory. In the name of Jesus Christ, I am praying. Amen.