Prayers

[hashi856]

Why do you pray if God's will is preordained and the future is already writen? Why would prayer work when the outcome is unknown (e.g. praying for a friend who has termenal cancer), but not work if the outcome is known (e.g. praying that armageden turn out differently than it is said to happen in revelation, or praying that satan comes to his senses and repents). Why pray, if God made up his mind about how things were going to happen before time existed?

 

[seajoy]

Why do you pray if God's will is preordained and the future is already writen? Why would prayer work when the outcome is unknown (e.g. praying for a friend who has termenal cancer), but not work if the outcome is known (e.g. praying that armageden turn out differently than it is said to happen in revelation, or praying that satan comes to his senses and repents). Why pray, if God made up his mind about how things were going to happen before time existed?

What kind of God would He be if He didn't know everything?
And how could we have a relationship with Him if we could not speak to Him in prayer?

 

[hashi856]

What kind of God would He be if He didn't know everything?
And how could we have a relationship with Him if we could not speak to Him in prayer?

Im not contesting God knowing everything, or praying in order to have a relationship with him. I'm saying if he does know everything and the future is preordained, why ask him to change the future that he already formed, it seems kind of in vain.

 

[seajoy]

Im not contesting God knowing everything, or praying in order to have a relationship with him. I'm saying if he does know everything and the future is preordained, why ask him to change the future that he already formed, it seems kind of in vain.

God says pray without ceasing...so we do.

 

[hashi856]

So are you saying that u have no logical reason to do so except that god said to do it? That's not an insult, I really want to know if u have any other reasons for asking god to changed a future that he designed.

 

[BelindaP]

I guess it depends on what you think the purpose of prayer is. My understanding of it is that its purpose is not change what God will do in a given situation, but to align our thoughts and attitudes with God's.

It's just like a child asking their parents for a car. Depending on the age or the maturity of the child, they may or may not get the car. However, having the conversation helps the child to align his/her thoughts with those of the parents, assuming the child listens to what they have to say.

 

[Confess]

If I am praying for ... lets say cancer in a friend, then I am praying for God's will to be done, not MY will, but his.

I am coming to him for comfort, for reassurance and help.

I am praying for my friend because I love my friend and I know that evil would try and overtake my friend.

So I pray.

 

[seajoy]

If I am praying for ... lets say cancer in a friend, then I am praying for God's will to be done, not MY will, but his.

I am coming to him for comfort, for reassurance and help.

I am praying for my friend because I love my friend and I know that evil would try and overtake my friend.

So I pray.

Excellent...wish I'd have said it.

 

[Key]

I pray, because I do not know the future, I pray because it allows me time to communicate and talk to God, prayer gives me the blessing of being able to give my worries over to my God, and allow him in his mercy to deal with what is beyond my control.

I would not pray for God to change his mind. That would be an insult, But I would pray,that God has a mercy and love planned for us all.

I hope I have explained this well.

God Bless

Key

 

[£amb]

Prayer may or may not change the situation, but it will change me.

Praying is a communication with God, and as we spend time focused on God, we change into His likeness. Praying isn't always about asking God to change situations.

I really want to know if u have any other reasons for asking god to changed a future that he designed.

Here's a silly thought I was thinking when I read this. What if God already planned for our prayer to be answered. If I didn't pray about the situation, and the problem was "fixed" then I would come away with a "see God fixed it for me" attitude. But by praying, I come before Him humbly and tell him my worries, fears, and ask for the situation to be answered then I would come away with a "thank you God for listening to me" attitude and my heart would be changed in the situation. Like I said, it was just a thought that came to me....

 

[Tavita]

Prayer may or may not change the situation, but it will change me.

Praying is a communication with God, and as we spend time focused on God, we change into His likeness. Praying isn't always about asking God to change situations.



Here's a silly thought I was thinking when I read this. What if God already planned for our prayer to be answered. If I didn't pray about the situation, and the problem was "fixed" then I would come away with a "see God fixed it for me" attitude. But by praying, I come before Him humbly and tell him my worries, fears, and ask for the situation to be answered then I would come away with a "thank you God for listening to me" attitude and my heart would be changed in the situation. Like I said, it was just a thought that came to me....

Yes, I agree. Prayer is working WITH God.

 

[Zeena]

Why do you pray if God's will is preordained and the future is already writen? Why would prayer work when the outcome is unknown (e.g. praying for a friend who has termenal cancer), but not work if the outcome is known (e.g. praying that armageden turn out differently than it is said to happen in revelation, or praying that satan comes to his senses and repents). Why pray, if God made up his mind about how things were going to happen before time existed?

Prayer edifies the believer
The Holy Spirit and you pray together, and if you know that you've been heard, eg;You were indeed praying WITH The Holy Spirit, you know you've got what you've asked

 

[DArceri]

We are to praise and honor God in all we do. Praying is just another form of worship. It's just on a personal level. But you need to pray right. There is a right way and a wrong way to pray. Praying for something that is not God honoring is definately not something God will listen to.

 

[talitha]

This is a very edifying thread! Thanks to the op for giving us this opportunity to share with you what prayer does.....

Every good and perfect gift comes from our Heavenly Father - He has designed this life-in-Him in such a way that we can choose to ask and receive or to not ask and not receive. The purpose from His end, I believe, is to establish relationship with us.

blessings
tal

 

[Merlin]

Why do you pray if God's will is preordained and the future is already writen? Why would prayer work when the outcome is unknown (e.g. praying for a friend who has termenal cancer), but not work if the outcome is known (e.g. praying that armageden turn out differently than it is said to happen in revelation, or praying that satan comes to his senses and repents). Why pray, if God made up his mind about how things were going to happen before time existed?

Well, one reason is it provides better self-congrurence.
Another reason is that prayer can alter events. Even events where the outcome is 'known'. (obviously 'known' was in error).
Prayer is not a mandate, but rather a request, which is why Satan, or the events of Revelation won't change. All future is not 'written'

 

[jasper123]

Why do you pray if God's will is preordained and the future is already writen? Why would prayer work when the outcome is unknown (e.g. praying for a friend who has termenal cancer), but not work if the outcome is known (e.g. praying that armageden turn out differently than it is said to happen in revelation, or praying that satan comes to his senses and repents). Why pray, if God made up his mind about how things were going to happen before time existed?

Yes there is an election of grace. God knows what the
outcome is but we do not. Through prayer and faith
we have an indication of what our final end will be.
Ron