Say not, But where is the need of disclosing to God all my wants, if he already sees and knows them better than I ? True, he knows them; but God makes as if he knew not the necessities about which you do not speak to him, and for which you seek not his aid. Our Saviour knew well that Lazarus was dead, and yet he made as if he knew it not, until the Magdalene had told him of it, and then he comforted her by raising her brother to life again.
--St. Alphonsus Liguori, The Way of Salvation and Perfection
