Why Pray, If God Already Knows?   "But if God knows what we need before we seek it, there might appear to be no benefit in prayer. If of His own accord He is ready to help us, what need have we to interject our prayers that might get in the way of the spontaneous course of His providence? There is an easy answer, in the very purpose of prayer: for the faithful do not pray to tell God what He does not know, or urge Him to His duties, or hurry Him on when He delays, but rather to alert themselves to seek Him, to exercise their faith by meditating upon His promises, unburdening their cares by lifting themselves into His bosom, and finally, to testify that from Him alone, all good for themselves and for others is hoped and asked." -- John Calvin (1509-1564) -------------------------