Contradiction with Matthew 7:7
While Matthew 6:8 suggests that God already knows our needs before we ask, Matthew 7:7 encourages believers to ask, seek, and knock for their needs.
Matthew 7:7: Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
Contradiction with James 4:2
This verse indicates some needs are unmet because people do not ask, which contrasts with Matthew 6:8 stating that God knows our needs beforehand.
James 4:2: Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
Contradiction with Philippians 4:6
This verse instructs believers to present their requests to God, implying a need to express specific desires, which contradicts the idea that God is already aware as stated in Matthew 6:8.
Philippians 4:6: Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Contradiction with 1 Samuel 1:27
Hannah prayed for a child, and here it emphasizes her act of asking, which contrasts with Matthew 6:8's message that God knows what we need without asking.
1 Samuel 1:27: For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him:
Contradiction with Luke 11:9-10
Similar to Matthew 7:7, this passage insists on the importance of asking to receive from God, conflicting with the idea in Matthew 6:8 that God is aware of the need without being asked.
Luke 11:9-10: And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
Paradox #1
Some people might see a contradiction between this verse and the idea that God desires long, detailed prayers or that people need to inform God of their needs. If God already knows what we need, some could argue that this makes certain prayer practices unnecessary or redundant, suggesting a tension between knowing God's omniscience and the practice of prayer.
Paradox #2
The contradiction or conflict might arise from the idea that if God already knows our needs before we ask, it raises questions about the purpose of prayer. Some people might wonder why they need to pray at all if God is already aware of their needs. This could seem inconsistent with the practice of prayer as a way to communicate desires and requests to God.