Back to my question on prayer....

Jim read my blog last night and I woke up to about 5 pages of information on Prayer. See what I mean...he always wants to have an answer for me. Sweet Jimbo. So, back to the topic of Prayer and whether it can change God's mind. Well, yesterday I thought the answer was "not really". But, today, I think my mind has changed. And, that is good because I want to know that Prayer can change God's mind. The reading that Jim gave me has lots of references to Scripture but, what is most comforting and compelling to me is that God wants us to know him like a Father. Even though he is my Father, I don't know if I actually feel that way all the time (just being honest here).

In my reading, I learned that Prayer is our teaming up with God. When we pray, we make it possible for His power to be released for our benefit. When we fail to pray, we limit God's blessing. In James 4:2 it says, "You do not have, because you do not ask God". Prayer changes God's mind because He loves us. God created us to be his children. He wants a fatherly relationship with us, and He communicates as much when He allows us the power to change His mind.

Some things are predetermined by God..such as the time and place where you would live (Acts 17:26) or the plan for your redemption (Galatians 4:2-5) or the time of Christ's return (II Thessalonians 2:6). God does see and control the future, but He did not create us to be puppets. He doesn't have everything in this world pre-programmed. God is sovereign, but that doesn't mean He rules over every detail to the extent that we are helpless. (paraphrased from my reading)

I think my question about Prayer has been answered. And, I like this answer because it not only builds my relationship with God as I talk to him, but it gives me HOPE. Hope that I might influence God to changes things. To change the fact that someone has cancer. To change a bad situation. To heal someone. To give that lost soul one more chance. To save my friend. To repair a broken marriage. There is HOPE in Prayer. That was the answer I wanted.