- John 21:15-19
Seven of the disciples had spent the night fishing and caught nothing.
On their return, as their boat neared the shore, Jesus was standing there - except they didn't know who it was. He told them to drop their nets one more time. They did, and caught a great haul of fish. At that moment they realized that the man on shore was the risen Jesus.
When they came ashore, Jesus had breakfast ready for them. After breakfast, Jesus takes Peter aside and asks, "Do you love me more than these?" (Jesus isn't necessarily asking if Peter loves him more than the other disciples love him. He could well be asking if Peter loves him more than "these" - that is, more than his love for his boat, his nets and his friends.)
Jesus will ask this three times. He wants to help Peter undo his three denials. But Jesus knew that Peter was sorry, and that Peter loved him. So why go through this?
Christianity isn't a religion simply of thoughts and abstractions. It involves a genuine, personal relationship with Jesus Christ. To speak your thoughts and feelings engages more of your who self. So you tell the Lord what your needs are, even though he knows that they are. You tell the Lord how you feel, even though he knows how you feel.
If you ever had any questions about whether prayer is really needed, this passage should help put those questions to rest.
- Little White Book, Diocese of Saginaw