Speak, Hashem Listens: Why Do We Need to Pray?

Every Jew prays three times a day: Shacharit, Mincha, and Arvit. The highlight is the Shemoneh Esrei prayer, comprising various blessings and personal and communal requests directed to the Creator for life, wisdom, repentance, health, good livelihood, the redemption of Israel, and the return to Zion, as well as blessings of praise and thanks for all the kindness bestowed upon us daily, every hour.

If we contemplate, we see that we pray for what we lack and what the world needs. This raises a question: since Hashem created the world, from the smallest plant to the largest celestial body, nourishes and sustains all creatures,

why do we need to request and demand from Him? Does He not know what a person needs? Is He not aware of what the world requires? The whole earth is filled with His glory! What then is the reason for these prayers?

To understand the profound message and power of prayer, we need to travel back thousands of years.

The Creation of the World. Hashem created the world in six days, forming heaven and earth, light and darkness, trees and plants, the sun, moon, stars, animals, and humanity as the pinnacle of creation. After completing His work and resting on the seventh day, the Torah states:

"And no shrub of the field was yet on the earth, and no herb of the field had yet sprouted, for Hashem had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was no man to work the ground" (Genesis 2:5). This is explained in Chullin 60b, "This teaches us that vegetation emerged and stood at the surface of the ground until Adam came and requested mercy upon them; then rain fell and they grew, teaching us that Hashem desires the prayers of the righteous" This implies that from the third day of creation—when plants were created—they did not appear on the surface until man prayed for them to grow. This shows the force of prayer, which brings potential into actuality, awaiting man's prayer.

Thus, it is evident that there are elements in creation ready for man, but only through prayer can they be actualized.

And why pray if Hashem knows everything?

An analogy is given of a beloved only son who went to a summer camp for two weeks. The night before he left, he did not sleep, preparing for the trip. In the morning, he approached his father and said:

"I need money while I'm at the camp."

The father nodded and gave him a 100 shekel bill.

"Dad, I need more; I'm going for two weeks."

I know, son, replied the father, "when you need it, call me, and I'll send you whatever you need immediately."

Indeed, the son enjoyed the trip, the experience, and all the attractions, forgetting about everything else. When his wallet ran out of money, he remembered his father and called him, requesting more allowance. The father honored his promise and sent what was needed.

Thus, the son understood why his father did not give him everything he asked for immediately. The purpose was to maintain the bond between them even when he was far from home.

The soul descends into the world on a divine mission. It enters the human body, and Hashem tells it, "Whatever you desire, ask, and I will send it to you."

The essence of prayer is our connection with the Creator. He knows well what we lack and need, but He desires that His beloved children maintain a relationship with Him by turning to Him, asking from Him, acknowledging His kingdom and divinity. Only

Rabbi Pincus ztz"l says that sometimes a person's children are ill, and he runs from doctor to doctor, yet Hashem's purpose is for the parents to pray to Him, asking the Healer of all flesh for their complete recovery, to appreciate every day when they are healthy... and through this, comes healing.

The snake was cursed "and dust shall you eat all the days of your life" (Genesis 3:14). Seemingly, this is a blessing; it always has food and doesn’t need prepared meals or instant foods. However, this is the greatest curse!

We all need success, good livelihood, health, matches; all there is to do is turn to Hashem, establish a connection with the King of kings, and believe that He alone can save us and abundantly bless us. May all our prayers be answered favorably.