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Explanation for:
Matthew
6
:
8
Be not you therefore like to them, for your Father knoweth what is needful for you, before you ask him.
10
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"Jerome of Stridon","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88dcd3432c6dd41375498_Jerome%20of%20Stridon.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"A certain false teaching has emerged regarding this matter, driven by the misguided views of philosophers who assert, 'If God is aware of our prayers before we voice them and knows our requirements, then it is pointless to appeal to Him who is all-knowing.' In response, we must succinctly clarify that we do not merely recount our needs to God, but instead come to Him as humble supplicants. Reporting our circumstances to the uninformed differs greatly from seeking assistance from the one who possesses all knowledge. The former entails instructing, while the latter embodies a posture of humble dependence. In the former, we lay out our case with fidelity; in the latter, we earnestly implore."},{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"And if He is aware of our needs, one might ask, what is the significance of prayer? It is not merely to highlight our desires to Him, but rather to submit ourselves in reverence; to become one with Him through persistent prayer, to abase ourselves before Him, and to reflect upon our transgressions."},{"author-name":"Anonymous Commentary (Opus Imperfectum)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":4,"exegesis-text":"For your Father is aware of your needs even before you ask Him. This indicates that since He anticipates our desires, our prayers are not intended to inform God of our wants but rather to align our desires with His will. If God seeks atonement rather than clarification, it is not lengthy stories He desires but a sincere heart."},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"We do not approach prayer to instruct Him, but rather to gain from our conversation with Him as a means to divert our minds from worldly concerns."},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"He is aware of what is beneficial for you even before you make any requests. Thus, you should refrain from asking for what is unnecessary or unhelpful, as this constitutes the error of frivolous speech. Just as a father may become displeased with his children when they seek what is inappropriate, so too can we consider our requests. But if He understands our true needs, what purpose does our asking serve? Certainly, it is not to inform Him, but to affirm our recognition of Him as our Teacher and Sovereign, demonstrating our commitment to Him so that we may humbly submit to Him, who embodies our hope for guidance and salvation. As our Father, He is both aware of our needs and prepared to provide what is truly beneficial; however, He desires us to ask for the reasons mentioned. Having imparted this teaching, He also presents us with a model of prayer, not that we should limit ourselves to this specific prayer, but so that we might derive a broader understanding of how to pray."},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Your Heavenly Father is aware of your needs and encompasses other truths. God possesses complete knowledge and understands all our requirements even before we voice them, as He is aware of all that is hidden and all that is unveiled. Nonetheless, this does not imply that we should refrain from bringing our needs to Him in prayer. The Lord states: Ask, and it will be given to you (Matthew 7:7); if you request anything in prayer with faith, you will receive it (Matthew 21:22), and so forth. Prayer is intended not to inform Him, but to submit to Him, enabling us to be continually connected with Him, to humble ourselves in His presence, and to recollect our transgressions (Chrysostom; cf. Theophylact)."},{"author-name":"Ivanov A.V.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88db13197efab881aa332_Ivanov%20A.V..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Your Heavenly Father will inform you of your desires even before you voice them. This does not imply that prayer is unnecessary. Rather, prayer is an essential aspect of the human spirit, just like any other fundamental requirement. When engaging in prayer, one should not assume that God requires it; God is already aware of our needs. Prayer serves primarily to align our will and thoughts with God's own will. Even when a person feels powerless, their absence from prayer does not oppose the purpose of God."},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"AVOID mimicking their trivial pursuits, which merely undermine the majesty of God, FOR YOUR FATHER UNDERSTANDS YOUR NEEDS, recognizing what is truly beneficial for you. He possesses perfect knowledge that surpasses your own awareness, EVEN BEFORE YOU REQUEST IT. St. Chrysostom inquires, ‘If He is aware, what purpose does prayer serve?’ He responds, ‘Not to inform Him, but rather to position yourself humbly before Him, to draw nearer through persistent prayer, and to remind yourself of your shortcomings.’ It is inappropriate to assume that our need for prayer is negated by God's omniscience. While God is always prepared to bestow His blessings upon humanity, humanity is not always disposed to receive those gifts. Just as a beggar must reach out their hand to obtain alms, or a child must open their mouth to be fed, likewise, one must engage in prayer to accept God's provisions. Prayer serves as an outstretched hand to embrace divine grace, an open mouth to partake in heavenly nourishment. This is why, when the Lord mentioned, ‘Your Father knows what you need,’ He promptly provided a model for His prayer. He further instructs, ‘Ask, and it will be given to you’ (Matthew 7:7); He devoted entire nights to prayer, and through His parables—such as that of the widow who persistently pleaded with a harsh judge, and of the friend whose late-night request for aid compelled his neighbor to respond—He encourages us to present our requests to Him with sincerity. The essence of prayer lies not only in the spoken words but also in the heartfelt reverence, unwavering faith, and love for God that infuse those words. Whether your prayers are brief or lengthy, whether uttered in a moment or spread over an hour, it is of no consequence; God will embrace your prayers. The Monk Epiphanius observed: ‘The Canaanite woman raises her voice and is heard; the woman afflicted with bleeding is silent and finds solace; the Pharisee speaks loudly and faces condemnation, while the tax collector barely whispers and is acknowledged.’"},{"author-name":"Kochomski S.W.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"He loves us and understands our genuine needs, and our prayers serve as a way to make ourselves deserving of His grace, to cleanse our hearts, to align our desires, and to fortify our spirits in fellowship with Him."},{"author-name":"Gladkow B.I.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88bf0ceef8c96e09a6521_Gladkow%20B.I..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Some individuals question, \\"If He is aware of our needs before we even ask, why should we make requests at all? What purpose does it serve to articulate our desires to the One who already knows everything? Is there really a reason to pray?\\" The words of Jesus, “Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him,” serve as a reminder to refrain from excessive verbosity in our prayers, rather than discouraging prayer altogether. If prayer were unnecessary, Christ would not have instructed us to ask, and it will be given to you (Matt. 7:7); pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you (Matt. 5:44); truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name, He will give you (John 16:23), among others. However, some may wonder why God does not simply provide what people require without them asking or praying for it. According to the teachings of Jesus, the fundamental desire for humanity is to attain the kingdom of heaven. Since humans possess free will, they can choose to pursue or turn away from this kingdom; thus, it is evident that it will only be granted to those who seek it earnestly. In the journey towards this aim, and in the battle against temptations and passions, human strength can often falter, making prayer for divine assistance essential. Even Christ prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, aware of His dwindling human strength and tempted by the prospect of evading His impending sufferings; He sought the Father in prayer, concluding with, \\"Thy will be done.\\" Therefore, Jesus not only endorsed our turning to God in prayer but also mandated it through His teachings and His example. God does provide without request, without prayer, only to those who prioritize seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and He grants them only what is deemed beyond their basic needs in prayer."}]}
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