Considering that God is the most powerful being in the universe, it may seem unusual that He commands His people to remind Him or that believers feel the need to do so. Surely, the God who declared, “I am watching over my word to perform it” (Jeremiah 1:12) does not require our help to remember.
Watchman Nee, referencing Isaiah 43:26, suggested that reminding God serves a deeper purpose: “This way of reminding God is very meaningful. The reason that God delays His promise is that we may have the opportunity to deal with Him. In this way, we acquire new knowledge; we have learned how to remind Him.” Nee often emphasized that every challenge, hardship, and even unanswered prayer is designed to enhance our personal relationship with God. Rather than focusing on what we have, God is more concerned with shaping who we are. By prompting us to focus on Him, we are reminded of our own insufficiency and His all-sufficiency.
Charles Spurgeon, in his Exposition on Genesis 32, commented on Jacob’s plea when anticipating his reunion with Esau. Jacob, aware of the potential danger, laid out his fears before God and concluded, “But you said, ‘I will surely do you good…’” Spurgeon described this as “a prayer most humble, most direct in its petitions, and also full of faith.” He asserted, “O brethren, if you can remind God of his promise, you must win the day, for promised mercies are sure mercies.” For Spurgeon, prayer that is rooted in the Word of God is powerful, as it strengthens faith and aligns the believer with God’s will.
A lack of trust in God’s power was the sin of the ten spies who returned from Canaan with an evil report. They did not lie; rather, they failed to recognize the magnitude of God. In contrast, Joshua and Caleb boldly declared, “Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Their protection is removed from them, and the LORD is with us; do not fear them” (Numbers 14:9). Similarly, Jacob initially presented his fears to God but ultimately reaffirmed his trust in God’s promise: “You said, ‘I will surely do you good…’”
Kenneth Hagin applied this same principle to Isaiah 43:25-26: “I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins. Put me in remembrance; let us argue together; set forth your case, that you may be proved right.” Hagin taught that reminding God also reminds the one praying, keeping God’s mercies at the forefront. Satan seeks to keep believers focused on their failures, whispering doubts that discourage prayer. Hagin warned, “If you entertain the thoughts the devil brings, you will begin to think, There’s no use for me to go to God; He’s not going to hear me. I’ve messed up too badly.” But by reminding God of His promises, we remind ourselves of His grace, enabling us to stand before Him confidently, not in pride but in humble reliance on His mercy.
Prayer does not change God’s mind; rather, it aligns us with His will. The Apostle John wrote, “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you” (John 15:7). Though believers abide in Christ through faith, His words must also abide in us. When we rehearse God’s Word, it transforms us, shaping our desires to align with His. By reminding God of His promises, we build our faith, allowing His living Word to breathe life into our prayers.
God does not need to be reminded of His Word—but we do. We desperately need it. Without it, we risk being drawn into condemnation, failing to grasp the magnitude of His grace. As we recount God’s promises, we find strength and boldness to persevere in prayer until His will is accomplished.
“And now, O Lord GOD, you are God, and your words are true, and you have promised this good thing to your servant” (2 Samuel 7:28).