If God already knows what's going to happen, and if God is sovereign enough to control or allow what happens, isn't prayer just an exercise in futility?
Simply put, what is the real purpose of prayer? There are three reasons that come to mind...
First: Prayer acknowledges both the fallenness and the frailty of man. That is, we offer prayers because we are helpless and because we are powerless as it relates to the present and the future.
Second: Prayer demonstrates an active and real faith in God. A person who prays to God believes that God cares and that God will "work all things for the good of those who love Him."
Third: Prayer aligns the praying person's will with the perfect will of God. There is power in studying the prayers of Scripture, specifically those of Jesus. In the Lord's Prayer, Jesus emphasizes "Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed:
"My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." (Matt. 26:39)
These two examples emphasize the importance of aligning our will with God's will. Interestingly, the Bible declares that "with God, all things are possible." Even Hezekiah learned that God's possibilities are always beyond our meager capability to understand His grandest purposes. (I will let you look that story up for further study!)
So, prayer matters. Prayer works. Prayer is imperative to the Christian life.
Pray more frequently. Pray more fervently. Pray more faithfully!
Dish Out
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