Why do we pray? Does God not know what we need?

St. Basil the Great says, “He undoubtedly knows [what we need] and He gives us abundantly all temporal things even before we ask. However, we should first ask for the things that are profitable and for the kingdom of heaven, and thereafter we receive what we desire; but let us ask patiently and faithfully, ask for what is good for us, and let us not hinder our prayers by disobeying our consciences.”⁸⁴

79 St. Augustine of Hippo, A Treatise on the Gift of Perseverance 66 (NPNF I/5:552) amended.

80 St. Augustine of Hippo, Expositions on the Book of Psalms 34.19 (NPNF I/8:77) amended.

81 St. Augustine of Hippo, Confessions 1.1.1 (FOTC 21:4) amended.

82 St. Ignatius of Antioch, Epistle to the Ephesians 10.1 (ANF 1:53) amended. 83

St. Basil of Caesarea, The Rule of St. Basil in Latin and English: A Revised Critical Edition , trans., Anna M. Silvas (Collegeville, Minnesota: Liturgical Press, 2013) Q. 179: p. 265.

84 See St. Basil of Caesarea, Const. Mon. 1 (PG 31:1325–1338).