God is Sovereign, and I agree he preordains and controls and orders all things.
But at the same time there is also a multitude of verses similar to these ones:
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14
But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” 27 The man asked him, “What is your name?” “Jacob,” he answered. 28 Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel,[a] because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.” Genesis 32:26-28
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you. James 4:10
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Luke 11:7
For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:8
Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4
These might not be the best examples, but I see a lot of If you will ... than I will... in the Bible.
My position is:
Yes God hears our prayers and answers them of course according to His will, but I believe God can act on our behalf, and he can answer our prayers and hear our cries.
I understand God's righteousness is imparted unto the believer, but I believe prayers can change things.
Some will say the prayers/fasting is a good work and an attempt to appease God, but I think that might be the case.
The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James 5:16
But at the same time there is also a multitude of verses similar to these ones:
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14
But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” 27 The man asked him, “What is your name?” “Jacob,” he answered. 28 Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel,[a] because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.” Genesis 32:26-28
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you. James 4:10
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Luke 11:7
For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:8
Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4
These might not be the best examples, but I see a lot of If you will ... than I will... in the Bible.
My position is:
Yes God hears our prayers and answers them of course according to His will, but I believe God can act on our behalf, and he can answer our prayers and hear our cries.
I understand God's righteousness is imparted unto the believer, but I believe prayers can change things.
Some will say the prayers/fasting is a good work and an attempt to appease God, but I think that might be the case.
The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James 5:16
Last edited: