Power of Prayer

[shawn]

What is the role of prayer?  Can God's will be changed by our petitions?  Ideas?

[thinktank]

What is the role of prayer?  Can God's will be changed by our petitions?  Ideas?

Of course, without prayer the world would be a much darker place.


Joel
2 Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:
13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.
14 Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God?
15 Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly:
16 Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet.
17 Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?
18 Then will the LORD be jealous for his land, and pity his people.
19 Yea, the LORD will answer and say unto his people, Behold, I will send you corn, and wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith: and I will no more make you a reproach among the heathen:

[shawn]

So, we can change the will of God with prayer?  I'm not sure I am completely on board with that.  I will need some verses to support that notion.

[shawn]

I had an indepth post originally on this subject before I hit the wrong key and erased it.  But, basically I see prayer as one of my vehicles for relationship, strength, joy, peace etc.  I very much enjoy prayer because it's when I'm in prayer I feel closest to God.  But, I have often wondered if we can change the world around us with prayer or does prayer just change us?

[jabcat]

Shawn, these are basically opinions/understandings, won't throw a bunch of specific scriptures out there.  I do think there are some scriptural bases for it though.

I believe prayer does just what you said, helps us feel closer to God.  We're directly fellowshipping/interacting with Him, which is good.

I also believe it can change things (the prayer of a righteous man avails much).  One thing it changes, I believe, is us.  Refreshes, renews, invigorates, brings a sense of closeness to our Creator and Father, etc.  But I also believe it can change circumstances, as in bringing direct help to other people and bringing changes from the hand of God in our own lives.  I believe a real caveat though, is that we ought to pray "according to God's will".  Otherwise we may be attempting to either heap up things according to our own lusts - and then likely things that are not God's will for us or good for us - and/or trying to manipulate God (again, according to our own lusts).  I believe a lot of the "name it - claim it" dabbles in this arena.

Along with "the prayer of a righteous man avails much" though, there are things mentioned like "you have not because you ask not", "pray without ceasing", "watch and pray", etc.  Now a question I have that's related to your OP and this topic is, our Heavenly Father knows what we have need of before we ask.  Also, He takes care of the sparrow and the flowers of the field, how much more will He take care of us?  Also, "I've never seen the righteous forsaken or begging for bread".  So sometimes I've wondered since God knows all those things, and He has promised to take care of His own, where does prayer fit in there exactly...but what I've found is that He does want me to pray, even for certain things in particular, but I also have been impressed upon, that a simple prayer, with the trust of a little child in their Father, is (often/usually) sufficient.  He is a Father that's close and can be touched by what we feel.  

So, He already knows and will take care of us - and at least in some cases, He wants us to ask - and for some reason (faith-building, witness for and glory to Him?) that can activate God's favor.  I know prayer is important and that it works on various levels and many ways.  Maybe someone else has some insight revelation into just what the process is of "God already knows and will take care of us, yet somehow it's still His will for us to ask"...It's one of those mysteries about God that eludes me just a little bit.   I do know that for me personally, I do pray, often as I feel prompted to do so.  However, perhaps just as importantly, or maybe because I need things simple, I have been led to trust - just simply believe that He will watch over and provide for things in my life that is according to HIS will.

[Molly]

But, I have often wondered if we can change the world around us with prayer...

I say yes.   I have seen this happen often enough in my own life to believe it is true.

He wants relationship with us.  He wants us engaged.  Look at how Moses was able to change God's mind about what he would do with the Israelites.  He wants us standing in the gap, with Christ.  He wants to call us, Friend.

But, we have to start somewhere.  So we start where we are.

At this point, there have been enough studies on the power of prayer to give it an objective support, as well.

We are given a lot of power and authority that most will not exercise, or  even know they have.

[Cardinal]

 :cloud9: It changes both us and the world around us. And yes, He will give us our heart's desires. Look at the Israelites in the wilderness moaning over wanting meat, so He finally gave it to them, and that didn't go well.  :mshock:

Realizing this early in my walk, I decided to pray for His perfect will to always be done, EVEN IF I begged and cried for something other than that. He brought that prayer back to me about 4 years ago, when I was begging and crying for something other than His perfect will.

Since He knows the end from the beginning, He knew that day would come, and I believe He moved on me back THEN, to prevent me from missing a step 20 years later. My  :2c: Blessings...