oes prayer change things? What is the purpose of prayer? Does God answer prayer? Many Christians have a difficult time answering these questions in light of scripture. This is partly due to their struggle with harmonizing the idea of God's sovereignty and immutability, with God's word that we should pray and our prayers will be answered. For many conclude that since God answers our prayers, this means that our prayer changes things. But while it is true that prayer changes things, the question is, exactly what does it really change? Does it work to change the mindset of those who pray, or does it actually change the mind of God? This is the question they struggle with. Because God is quite clearly Omniscient, infallible and immutable. And yet prayers are declared in scripture to be answered. Thus this leaves many with a conundrum of sorts. For if God knows all, and He is infallible and perfect in all His judgments, how can He change His mind in accordance with the will of our prayers? In this FAQ, we will endeavor to shed some light upon this very puzzling question.

First and foremost we should establish that the Holy scriptures are crystal clear that the mind of God is to do His will, not ours. Thus, any answered prayer must be considered in the light of that first principle. And perfect judgments are not judgments that will be countermanded. Would our humanistic judgments be better for anyone than what the mind of God had ordained, that He would allow it to supersede His perfect will and divine Providence?

Job 23:13

• "But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth."

Psalms 33:11

• "The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations."

Isaiah 40:13

• "Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being his counselor hath taught him?"

Malachi 3:6

• "For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed."

Psalms 141:2

• "Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice."

As a practical example, consider the Old Testament story of Hannah. She was a Godly woman who desired a son, and so prayed earnestly until ultimately God answered her prayers and gave her the son she desired. But we have to know that God's mind wasn't changed by Hannah's prayers. God (being omniscient) had always intended to raise up Samuel through Hannah, but it would be in His own good time, not Hannah's. And yet He gloriously allowed her the privilege to petition Him in this regard, that she (and we who come after) might grow in grace and in the trust of the Lord for all our needs. Those who claim that the Lord's mind was changed by her petitions are effectively declaring that they don't think that God was really sure of His will in this, or questioning His Omniscience. Because that implies that God really didn't have foreknowledge to know the end from the beginning. We must understand that the perfection of God's judgments, and man counsel changing God's judgments, are ideas that are antithetical to each other. And in this instance, let's not forget that it was the Lord who shut up Hannah's womb to begin with. and that no doubt so that she could participate in this communion with God, grow in patience, grace, resignation, and also to be set forth an example. For God is not our bondservant to do our will, but we His.

1st Samuel 1:5-6

• "But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the LORD had shut up her womb.
• And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb."

• "And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the LORD, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the LORD remembered her.
• Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD."

1st Samuel 3:19-20

• "And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.
• And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD."

The objection may be raised, "Why then do we have to pray, if God is Sovereign and will do according to His will anyway?" That is a very good question. And the answer is twofold.

First, because God told us to pray to the father for what we need. God is all knowing and infinite, we know only in part and are finite. Thus we don't have to understand His counsel, but we do have to be obedient to it. God knows, He instructs, we obey without question, because we are servants not counselors.

Second, it is because we are not only growing ourselves by prayer, but we are the tools that God uses to get His work done. Whether God intends that work of prayer to be in us, or in others whom we pray for, He ordained prayer to change things. Thus the prayer of the elect is always meaningful and effectual because it is our petition that His will be done. And it brings about intangible, internal, spiritual benefits and growth for the petitioner, even when the petition is denied. All the good that we receive from God have their source from beyond human agency. And as the vessels of mercy that God before has prepared unto glory, our prayer is part of that preparation in our walk in this world. Our prayer in repentance in seeking Him, or in petitioning on behalf of others, produces change in us as we submit to accept the outcome. For benevolence and prayer go hand in hand, even as Love of God aligns with love of our neighbors even as ourselves (Galatians 5:14). For if we truly love our neighbor, we will desire for them the same gift of salvation as we ourselves have been granted. A noble prayer that is taken perfectly before the throne, is according to the will of God.

Luke 10:26-28

• "He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?
• And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.
• And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live."

Proverbs 15:29

• "The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous."

James 5:16-17

• "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
• Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months."

Romans 8:26-28

• "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for : but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
• And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
• And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

Does God answer prayer and does prayer change things? Yes, it changes things. But it doesn't change God, because His judgments are already perfect, even as He has eternally known the end from the beginning. So what is the purpose of prayer then? It is so that we are brought into alignment with God's purposes, to strengthen us, and to glorify God. The change that occurs is within us, and within those whom we pray for that God is calling. Our prayer is our outward expression of dependence and reliance upon Him for all things. Prayer is for our own repentance, or to increase our awareness of God and His role in our lives, and in the lives of others. The outcome of our prayers was already determined long before we uttered any petition before God. For God is not left out of providence, He knows not only our desires, but our needs, and is constantly supplying them, according to His will. The beauty of weakness is confirmed in that, through prayer, we are made strong in our recognition of total dependence upon the Lord. Even as the Apostle Paul petitioned the Lord for deliverance, and was strengthened not by the removal of the adversary as he had asked, but by his understanding that God's favor upon him was better than this thorn which he endured, and which was not God's will to remove.

2nd Corinthians 12:8-9

• "For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
• And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

Luke 12:29-31

• "And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
• For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
• But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you."

Does God answer prayer and does prayer change things? Does the fervent effectual prayer change our cancerous or broken body? No, not unless it was always God's will to heal us of this malignancy. Because Christ didn't go to the cross in order to heal our broken physical bodies, as we "all" eventually die physically. Christ went to the cross to heal our broken and sin sick souls. Yet our prayer is the channel to God that will change our outlook, and will be illustrative of our source of strength and comfort.

Will fervent effectual prayer change our financial situation? Probably not, but it will change who we look to and trust that will always supply our every need. That might mean our financial situation will get better, or it may mean it will get worse. In other words, fervent "effectual" prayer is in the will of God to be done, not our own. It may not change what we want done, but it will bring our will in harmony with the will of God.

In short, prayer changes our perspective, frame of reference, dependence, and lives in ways we cannot fully comprehend. Because Christ inspires them for our good, and the good of those around us. Prayer changes our attitude so that we can act in accordance with God's will for our lives. Therefore we should pray continually, especially on behalf of others. For in seeking to help others, you both help yourself and show the love of God working in you. If you have neglected prayer, then renew yourself now in effectual prayer. Because prayer changes things, and is for our good in all things lawful.

1st Thessalonians 5:17-18

• "Pray without ceasing.
• In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

John 16:22-24

• "And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.
• And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
• Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full."

Matthew 6:9-13

• After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
• Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
• Give us this day our daily bread.
• And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
• And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen."

We can see this principle illustrated in the practical example of Abraham pleading with God to spare the wicked city of Sodom. From the perspective of Abraham we may surmise he may very well be thinking that he is changing God's mind on the issue. In Genesis chapter 18 Abraham petitions God that if there are 50 righteous in the city, that He will not destroy it. God answers, if there are fifty, the city will not be destroyed. I'm sure Abraham, being a man of compassion, senses there may not be fifty and petitions again that if there are forty-five, will God please spare the city. And God answers, he will spare the city if there are forty-five. This continues, and Abraham gets all the way down to ten. And God says, yes, if there are ten righteous, He will not destroy Sodom. The point here being, there were "none righteous" in the city but those whom God had ordained preserved, Lot and his daughters. Yet through Lot's petitioning, God is demonstrating He is not destroying righteous people, and in doing so is also enlightening Abraham's understanding of both God, himself, and that city. This is the power of our petitions to the Lord. Abraham's petition did not make a difference in the outcome of the city of Sodom, but it did change Abraham's understanding and knowledge of God. Ergo, in communing with God, we are the ones enlightened and changed and who grow in grace and understanding. In truth, Abraham's petitioning didn't change God's "perfect" and righteous plan for Sodom anymore than the prayers of the people of Nineveh changed God's plan for them. It was always His plan to save the city of Nineveh and use them as an example (Matthew 12:41) of repentance and salvation. God had ordained their repentance to be used as an example to Israel. God uses prayer in this way to help and change people. That is the point. Because prayer did not change God's mind, as an omniscient God who knew all along that He would not destroy Nineveh. i.e., the people's prayer in sackcloth and ashes were not a pleasant surprise to an Omniscient God, thus it is impossible that God's mind was changed when He heard their prayer. He had foreknowledge of all these things before He ever said He would destroy Nineveh.

In [agape] charity or benevolent love, when we use intercessory prayer on behalf of others, we are affecting ourselves, and possibly them. But we are not changing God's counsel. In this interpersonal sharing, we experience the love of God, the communion with God, and the acceptance of His will and perfect judgments, over our own. It is we who have our minds changed by prayer. So when the question is asked, "Does Prayer Change Things?" The answer is yes, but it does not change an immutable omniscient God who always makes perfect judgments. And are our prayers answered? Yes! The fact is, all the prayers of God's elect are answered, just not always in the manner that the petitioner might like. As demonstrated in Abraham's prayer for Sodom, or David’s prayer for the life of his son. For prayer does not put the power in our hands, it is the recognition that all power ultimately belongs to God, and answered prayer is in His power.

Revelation 3:19

• "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent."

Still, others have asked to make their prayers more real and less like they are talking to themselves? The answer is to be cognizant that you are talking to God, and so speak accordingly. Because if you have the mindset where you feel you are talking to yourself, you are not on the right path to begin with. When you have a personal relationship with someone, you talk to them. And the more personal that relationship, the more trusting, open and honest that talk will be. When we are truly saved, we have that very personal relationship to God. The Holy Spirit of God is the vehicle of the love of the Father, through the Son. We are never guaranteed that prayer for any physical healing, gain or miracle will be granted. What prayers are guaranteed to be answered are prayers the Holy Spirit itself maketh intercession for, with groanings which cannot be uttered. In the bond of prayer, which is the bond of charity [agape] or love, we are changed forever. A perfect God provides us with that which always improves our spiritual well being, and denies us whatever would detract from this. Ergo, a perfect God doesn't change according to our prayers, He has already made provision for us for everything for our good, according to His will. Thus we need to come to grips with the truth that the real purpose of prayer is to assist us beyond the circle of our own vain and selfish will and desires.

Does our praying really make a difference? The Biblical answer is yes. The difference prayer makes is in us and in those around us, not in God. Prayer is for our sakes, for it is through prayer that the believer is learning more about Himself through his lifeline to God. In this spiritual conduit of power he can better understand that the Lord is his only protector, foundation, strength and fortress. For it is in this conductor of prayer to God, that His will is revealed to His servants. It is how we consciously petition and receive power from on high, that we may live the life that God intends for us. The practice of petitionary prayer is very Biblical, and the truth of its efficacy is deeply rooted in the scriptures. God desires us to petition Him that we may grow in grace and communion with God, by our identification with Him. It instills God-consciousness in an individual. For an integral part of the purpose of prayer is to assist us in aligning ourselves with God. In the act of repentance and petitionary prayer, God teaches us to submit to His will. Even as David, who both repented and prayed earnestly for the life of his son (2nd Samuel 12:16), but ultimately accepted what he subsequently learned was the will of God in the matter. In this we see demonstrated both his trust and His faith. Unlike humanistic man, he is not angry with God, not blaming God, not pointing an accusing finger at God, but growing in Grace whereby he can accept God's will. i.e., it's not that God was unforgiving, or that He couldn't spare David's son's life, but that David might learn and grow from this, to his own good, to the glory of God. The whole purpose of prayer is conformity with the will of God, not the commanding of our own, in self-gratification.

Again, "Does God answer prayer and does prayer change things?" ...Absolutely! For prayer, viewed in this very Biblical way, accepts God as sovereign and makes every prayer righteous, answered, and a blessing. And through those prayers we learn more about ourselves, and how to live nobly that we orient ourselves properly toward God. Let is then thank the Lord for the privilege of coming boldly before the throne of grace in humble prayer. May He graciously grant us the wisdom to trust in Him fully, that we possess the ability to succeed in all of life's noble and worthy challenges and endeavors, through His blessing of prayer!

Amen!