Each of our circumstances, namely family, financial, physical and spiritual, are unlike those of anyone else. Each of our particular needs are unique, and are seen as such in the eyes of G-d. Not only can each of us pray for our own unique redemption, but we must pray, otherwise our own unique voice will be missing from the worldÕs symphony of yearnings before G-d.

How do we know G-d wants to hear from us? Isn't it somewhat "chutzpadik" of us to purport to tell G-d what we need? Since G-d is omniscient, He obviously knows our particular needs and circumstances, so why should we have to tell Him? Furthermore, if we have to ask for something, doesn't this imply that we are trying to change G-d's mind after He decided not to grant us our request?

There is a Torah precedent for man being allowed, in fact invited, to make requests of Hashem. In this week's Sedra, when G-d was about to destroy Sodom and Gemorrah, Hashem said: "Shall I conceal from Avraham what I do now, now that Avraham is surely to become a great and mighty nation and all the nations of the earth shall bless themselves by Him?"

Hashem then proceeded to tell Avraham: "Because the outcry of Sodom and Gemorrah has become great, and because their sin has been very grave, I will descend and see: if they act in accordance with its outcry -then destruction! And if not, I will know."

Avraham then entered into the first plea bargain in history. Avraham came forward and said:

Will You also stamp out the righteous with the wicked? What if there should be fifty righteous people in the city? Would You still stamp it out rather than spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous people in it? It would be sacrilege to You to do such a thing, to bring death upon the righteous along with the wicked; letting the righteous and the wicked fare alike. It would be sacrilege to You! Shall the Judge of all the earth not do justice?

How could Avraham have the chutzpah to challenge G-d's plans and wisdom? How could he suggest saving Sodom when G-d had already advised him He was going to destroy it? Was he trying to change G-d's mind? The answer lies not in Avraham's actions but in the words of G-d. It was Hashem Himself who invited Avraham to tell Him what he thought about G-d's plan, as the Torah states: "Shall I conceal from Avraham what I do now..."

Why would G-d tell Avraham about the impending destruction of Sodom if He didn't want Avraham's opinion? Not only did G-d want to hear from Avraham, but He wanted Avraham's opinion in the decision-making process. Thus, we can say that Avraham acted as G-d's "partner," providing G-d with his opinion. It is not that G-d only has a Heavenly perspective and "needs" an earthly perspective; rather, G-d wants us to engage Him in dialogue and to create a relationship with Him.

This parsha provides a precedent for G-d allowing and encouraging us to pray to Him and to ask Him to assist us in our daily needs. Are we trying to change G-d's mind if He has other plans for us? No. We are trying to change ourselves by connecting to G-d and His values. Thus, the prayers attract a different plan from G-d because of our changed values that have developed through the prayer process. So it is not chutzpah for us to daven to Hashem. He wants us to change ourselves and our hopes for ourselves -and thereby be deserving of a different blessing from Hashem.