Why Pray?

[Ken-1122]

I know this sounds like a silly question but bare with me. I’m not talking about the type of prayer when you are just thanking God or communicating with God, I’m talking about when you pray to get things done.
If a person is hurting, sick, etc. Christians will often pray for that person, but why?
If God knows everything, then he knows what you want to pray about before you even pray!
If God is in control, and knows all, then he has already decided the fate of the person you are praying for and for you to ask him to change things is suggesting that you want something outside the will of God!
So why pray for things if God already knows what you want and has already made a decision concerning what you want?

Ken

 

[Hakan101]

I know this sounds like a silly question but bare with me. I’m not talking about the type of prayer when you are just thanking God or communicating with God, I’m talking about when you pray to get things done.
If a person is hurting, sick, etc. Christians will often pray for that person, but why?
If God knows everything, then he knows what you want to pray about before you even pray!
If God is in control, and knows all, then he has already decided the fate of the person you are praying for and for you to ask him to change things is suggesting that you want something outside the will of God!
So why pray for things if God already knows what you want and has already made a decision concerning what you want?

Ken

No this is not a silly question. Logically it makes sense, why would we pray to God when he already knows?

The answer lies in the fact that the act of praying is not intended to teach God something new. It is an act of submission to God, a humble request for his help. Jesus told us God is joyful to bless us with the things we ask for, he compares it to a son asking his father for food. A father wouldn't give him a snake or a scorpion when the son asks for food.

On another perspective, if you never prayed to God for help, what does it say about your love for him? Imagine a hungry child, who just sits on the couch watching TV. He thinks to himself, "My father knows I'm hungry, he'll just feed me. I will just say nothing until he comes over here and brings me food." How would the father feel when his son is treating him this way? Very hurt, I would think.

Also, if we pray to God, we do not necessarily contradict the will of God. We don't always know what exactly God has planned for us. Jesus said we should pray something like this, "If the Lord is willing, let us do this, or go here."

 

[Ken-1122]

No this is not a silly question. Logically it makes sense, why would we pray to God when he already knows?

The answer lies in the fact that the act of praying is not intended to teach God something new. It is an act of submission to God, a humble request for his help. Jesus told us God is joyful to bless us with the things we ask for, he compares it to a son asking his father for food. A father wouldn't give him a snake or a scorpion when the son asks for food.

On another perspective, if you never prayed to God for help, what does it say about your love for him? Imagine a hungry child, who just sits on the couch watching TV. He thinks to himself, "My father knows I'm hungry, he'll just feed me. I will just say nothing until he comes over here and brings me food." How would the father feel when his son is treating him this way? Very hurt, I would think.

Also, if we pray to God, we do not necessarily contradict the will of God. We don't always know what exactly God has planned for us. Jesus said we should pray something like this, "If the Lord is willing, let us do this, or go here."

So the main purpose of prayer is not to get things done but just to communicate with God? Then why not just pray to communicate; rather than for the person who is dying of cancer, to be healed? After all God has already decided if he is going to live or die.


Ken

 

[drich0150]

I know this sounds like a silly question but bare with me. I’m not talking about the type of prayer when you are just thanking God or communicating with God, I’m talking about when you pray to get things done.
If a person is hurting, sick, etc. Christians will often pray for that person, but why?
If God knows everything, then he knows what you want to pray about before you even pray!
If God is in control, and knows all, then he has already decided the fate of the person you are praying for and for you to ask him to change things is suggesting that you want something outside the will of God!
So why pray for things if God already knows what you want and has already made a decision concerning what you want?

Ken

Spiritual growth. whether they need to see the power of prayer or learn to have patience and/or trust in God it happens through prayer. The end result of the prayer is of less importance than the process itself.

 

[Forge3]

When someone is suffering we pray for them. When I am really suffering I will reach out to our fellowship and ask for prayer on my behalf. Prayer is a very powerful thing. Of course submit to God in all things. Consider that the Gospel and Gospel values instruct us to be teachers, healers, prophets to help those in need. So when we see a hungry person we do not question if it is God's will to feed them. If we see someone very thirsty we give them drink. Prayer is an extension of our ministry here God's will be done.

 

[hedrick]

There are two reasons for praying for someone:

1) We care about them, and we need to bring everything we care about to God in prayer.

2) While God knows what we want and need, I think there are good reasons why he might want to be asked. It puts his actions in a different context. I think if someone reads our minds without ever talking to us and just magically does things for us, this has a different effect on our relationship with him (if any relationship would be possible) than if we talk with him about it, and it's done in response to our request. We're going to think of it differently and react differently.

 

[Ken-1122]

Spiritual growth. whether they need to see the power of prayer or learn to have patience and/or trust in God it happens through prayer. The end result of the prayer is of less importance than the process itself.

So why pray to get things done if God has already made a desicion on the issue, thus the end result has already been decided? why not just pray to talk to God, or thank him?

Ken

 

[Ken-1122]

When someone is suffering we pray for them. When I am really suffering I will reach out to our fellowship and ask for prayer on my behalf.

Why would you ask for prayer when the decision has already been made? Do you think they will be able to change God's mind? Wouldn't that take away from his ominiscience?

K

 

[Ken-1122]

There are two reasons for praying for someone:

1) We care about them, and we need to bring everything we care about to God in prayer.

2) While God knows what we want and need, I think there are good reasons why he might want to be asked. It puts his actions in a different context. I think if someone reads our minds without ever talking to us and just magically does things for us, this has a different effect on our relationship with him (if any relationship would be possible) than if we talk with him about it, and it's done in response to our request. We're going to think of it differently and react differently.

But it isn't done in response to your request, the desicion was made before you made the request! So why pray for something that has already been decided upon? And if God makes a decision on something, isn't it for the best? Unless you know better than what God knows what's best, why would you ask God to change it per your request?

Ken

 

[Forge3]

Why would you ask for prayer when the decision has already been made? Do you think they will be able to change God's mind? Wouldn't that take away from his ominiscience?

K

We cannot take away from His omniscience. When people are suffering are we to guess if God wants them to suffer or not? Out of compassion we ask for His love, wisdom and grace. And we act out of compassion from the same. We can hold the suffering in our heart out of compassion.


I am not trying to knock down everything you are saying. Self-abandonment to the Divine providence can forge such questions.

 

[Faulty]

Why would you ask for prayer when the decision has already been made? Do you think they will be able to change God's mind? Wouldn't that take away from his ominiscience?

K

God responds to prayer. It's all over the scriptures, God responding to the requests of his people. It's everywhere. Why pray? Read the prayers in the scripture and how God was delighted to move on their behalf.

Revelation shown the prayers of His people as the incense of the alter before His throne (5:8, 8:3-4). They are beautiful to Him.

 

[drich0150]

So why pray to get things done if God has already made a decision on the issue, thus the end result has already been decided? why not just pray to talk to God, or thank him?

Ken

When and if you work on your relationship long enough these are the things you learn to pray for.

Look at the example of Prayer Christ Gave us in Luke 11:

‘[b]Father, hallowed be Your name.

He starts with the recognition of God. A word of Praise if you will.

Your kingdom come.

He Asks that the will of the Father be made paramount, as witnessed by some of the extended versions (Your will be do on earth as it is in Heaven)

3 ‘Give us (B)each day our [c]daily bread.

This is the only part of the prayer that has one ask for worldly things.. Not that it is a sin to ask for more, but in the model prayer our "needs" are limited to the essentials.

4 ‘And forgive us our sins,
For we ourselves also forgive everyone who (C)is indebted to us.

This is a reminder of the terms or conditions of salvation. Forgive us our sins, only if we can forgive those who sin against us.

And lead us not into temptation.’”

Keep us out of trouble...

Again not that asking for more is forbidden, it just points to a heart that needs more time with God. At some point we will realize that come what may (not that I am there myself) that God is in complete control, and that whatever happens is for the best.

 

[Ken-1122]

We cannot take away from His omniscience. When people are suffering are we to guess if God wants them to suffer or not? Out of compassion we ask for His love, wisdom and grace. And we act out of compassion from the same. We can hold the suffering in our heart out of compassion.

I can understand acting out of compassion for those who are suffering, but why pray for the suffering to end if the decision has already been made? If you assume God is in control of everything; and everything he does is for the best, if you ask God to end the suffering, you are asking God to act outside his will; are you not?

Ken

 

[Ken-1122]

Faulty (quote)
God responds to prayer. It's all over the scriptures, God responding to the requests of his people. It's everywhere. Why pray? Read the prayers in the scripture and how God was delighted to move on their behalf. Revelation shown the prayers of His people as the incense of the alter before His throne (5:8, 8:3-4). They are beautiful to Him.


Drich0170 (quote) “
When and if you work on your relationship long enough these are the things you learn to pray for.
Look at the example of Prayer Christ Gave us in Luke 11:
Father, hallowed be Your name.
He starts with the recognition of God. A word of Praise if you will
Your kingdom come.
He Asks that the will of the Father be made paramount, as witnessed by some of the extended versions (Your will be do on earth as it is in Heaven)3 ‘Give us (B)each day our [c]daily bread.
This is the only part of the prayer that has one ask for worldly things.. Not that it is a sin to ask for more, but in the model prayer our "needs" are limited to the essentials.
4 ‘And forgive us our sins,
For we ourselves also forgive everyone who (C)is indebted to us.
This is a reminder of the terms or conditions of salvation. Forgive us our sins, only if we can forgive those who sin against us
And lead us not into temptation.’”
Keep us out of trouble...
Again not that asking for more is forbidden, it just points to a heart that needs more time with God. At some point we will realize that come what may (not that I am there myself) that God is in complete control, and that whatever happens is for the best.


(reply) In spite of what the title says, I was referring to a particular type of prayer; the type of prayer you pray when you want to get things done.

Ken

 

[elopez]

I know this sounds like a silly question but bare with me. I’m not talking about the type of prayer when you are just thanking God or communicating with God, I’m talking about when you pray to get things done.

You are questioning the most common form of prayer known as supplication.

If a person is hurting, sick, etc. Christians will often pray for that person, but why?

Prayer, if done in sincere faith, is effective. I'm sure you're not looking for passages but refer to James 5:13-16.

If God knows everything, then he knows what you want to pray about before you even pray! If God is in control, and knows all, then he has already decided the fate of the person you are praying for and for you to ask him to change things is suggesting that you want something outside the will of God!

Yes, God may know what we ask for prior to us asking but prayer does not serve the purpose of changing God's mind as God does not change His mind. We ought to be praying in accordance with God's will, that God's will is done on earth which only suggests that God's will is not totally completed on earth which in turn only further suggests that God does not control every single thing in our lives. For example, God does not control in the sense of coercion that people sin, so if I pray that He assist one to sin less or much less realize his sin, it may come about. So, if it is God's will that one does not sin and I pray for such, then that is not me expecting to change God's will at all.

So why pray for things if God already knows what you want and has already made a decision concerning what you want?

By prayer of supplication things God wills, but does not control, can be accomplished. The understanding of supplication has much to do with the understanding on the nature of God's will as again not everything God wills is accomplished.

 

[bling]

I can understand acting out of compassion for those who are suffering, but why pray for the suffering to end if the decision has already been made? If you assume God is in control of everything; and everything he does is for the best, if you ask God to end the suffering, you are asking God to act outside his will; are you not?

Ken

The “way God knows” can be information sent back to him from him in the future through a wormhole. The result of a healing might be directly related to our decision to pray. God can “work it out” with the person being healed or not being healed, for the best given our decision. Needy people are our opportunities to show, extend, experience, give, receive and grow Godly type Love, with pray being part of the Love expression and experience. Our whole life needs to be caught up in the serving of others and that includes our pray life. The “result” is much more than a physical healing.

 

[razeontherock]

If a person is hurting, sick, etc. Christians will often pray for that person, but why?

Hi Ken. I'm going to give you info that differs from what else I see in this thread, to add to what has been said.

First of all, we do it because the Word says to:

"Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: (James 5:15) And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him."

But that doesn't really answer your question of why, does it? I could say "for the Glory of G-d," and that would be true. And we might discuss at length what those 5 words mean, and eventually that might be helpful. But there's something far bigger going on here, and it is key to understanding a vast amount of Scripture!

God GAVE man dominion. He no longer has it. So if anything is going to get done around here, we'll have to do it. And yet, so many things we can NOT do! So we couple our dominion (prayer) with His will, and ---

thy kingdom come.


Make sense?

If God is in control, and knows all, then he has already decided the fate of the person you are praying for and for you to ask him to change things is suggesting that you want something outside the will of God!

There is always this possibility, unless we have Scripture for what we're praying for. I have just given you a HUGE key to effective prayer ...

 

[drich0150]

Faulty (quote)
God responds to prayer. It's all over the scriptures, God responding to the requests of his people. It's everywhere. Why pray? Read the prayers in the scripture and how God was delighted to move on their behalf. Revelation shown the prayers of His people as the incense of the alter before His throne (5:8, 8:3-4). They are beautiful to Him.


Drich0170 (quote) “
When and if you work on your relationship long enough these are the things you learn to pray for.
Look at the example of Prayer Christ Gave us in Luke 11:
Father, hallowed be Your name.
He starts with the recognition of God. A word of Praise if you will
Your kingdom come.
He Asks that the will of the Father be made paramount, as witnessed by some of the extended versions (Your will be do on earth as it is in Heaven)3 ‘Give us (B)each day our [c]daily bread.
This is the only part of the prayer that has one ask for worldly things.. Not that it is a sin to ask for more, but in the model prayer our "needs" are limited to the essentials.
4 ‘And forgive us our sins,
For we ourselves also forgive everyone who (C)is indebted to us.
This is a reminder of the terms or conditions of salvation. Forgive us our sins, only if we can forgive those who sin against us
And lead us not into temptation.’”
Keep us out of trouble...
Again not that asking for more is forbidden, it just points to a heart that needs more time with God. At some point we will realize that come what may (not that I am there myself) that God is in complete control, and that whatever happens is for the best.


(reply) In spite of what the title says, I was referring to a particular type of prayer; the type of prayer you pray when you want to get things done.

Ken

What I was trying to say is if you work on your relationship long enough then there will not be much you will want done outside of the model of prayer Christ taught.

 

[Emmy]

Dear Ken-1122. You are right, God is in control, but God has given us free will to choose, whether to follow His loving advice to us,( Commanments) or go our own way. God is Love, and God wants loving children/sons and daughters. Are you truly so self-sufficient, that you do not need God at all? Christianity is not only a Religion, Christianity is also a loving relationship: God-Father, God-Son, God-Holy-Spirit, and all Christian followers. It is our way to talk to our Heavenly Father, and to let Him know how much we love Him and also need Him. God is Love, and Love is our strong weapon to overcome all enmity and adversity, and Love is what holds us up and keeps us going. We are neither dummies, nor are we without needs and feelings. I say this with love. Greetings from Emmy, your sister in Christ.

 

[GrayAngel]

God lives outside of time, meaning He's already made His decision. But it also means that He's already heard your prayer. You could even pray for things that have already happened but you haven't received news of yet.

Also, the point isn't to change God's mind. The most important part of The Lord's Prayer, I believe, is the part that says "Your will be done."