Why Pray if God Has Already Decided Everything?
How do we reconcile the fact that God has predetermined every event with the power of prayer to actually change things? According to John MacArthur, author of The Power of Praying, the answer lies in a correct understanding of God’s providential determination.
Determinism ≠ Fatalism
Most Calvinists believe in determinism, which holds that God has predetermined every single event (not to be confused with fatalism, which holds that our choices have no bearing on the future). What happens in the future is determined by what we do and pray in the present.
Prayer Changes the Future
God responds to prayer in both Scripture and our experience. Moses prayed for food and water for the Israelites; Hannah prayed for a child; Elijah prayed for drought and then rain. To say that we don’t need to pray because God has already decided everything is ridiculous.
God Ordains Our Prayers
God has ordained his interventions to be in response to faith-fueled petitions, so if your understanding of God’s providence leads you to pray less, you need to rethink your understanding.
What does it mean for God to have a plan?
He’s the plan. He’s the place where God’s plan meets and intersects with our life u2013 not the other way around. He’s self-control. He’s our hope. Hope against all hope.
Can prayer change God’s plan?
We, like Abraham, frequently pray for things. u201cI, the Lord, do not change.u201d (Malachi 3:6) The idea of praying to change God’s will is arrogant, as it implies that we know better than God. In Gethsemane, Jesus set the example by praying for God’s will to be done, not His own.
How do I know God’s plan?
Keeping God’s Plan for Your Life in Mind:
- Be in prayer. Being in prayer is one way to know you’re on track with God’s plan for your life.
- Be actively reading the Bible.
- Follow the commands He places on your heart.
- Seek a godly community.
- Obey the Truth.
What is God’s will called?
(Learn how and when to remove this template message) The concept of a God having a will (i.e. particular desire) for humanity is known as the will of God or divine will. Ascribing a volition or a plan to a God generally implies a personal God (God regarded as a person with mind, emotions, and will).
What is the best prayer to God?
Loved God, I pray that you will comfort me in my suffering, strengthen the hands of my healers, and bless the methods used to cure me; give me such faith in the power of your grace that I may put my complete trust in you even when I am afraid; through our Savior Jesus Christ, Amen.
What can God not do?
This appealing tract explains that God is incapable of three things: lying, changing, and allowing sinners to enter heaven.
Do I pray to Jesus or God?
We don’t go wrong when we pray directly to God the Father, because He is our Creator and the one we should worship, and we have direct access to God through Jesus.
What is God’s purpose for me?
Psalm 57:2 says, “I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.” This is crucial in understanding God’s purpose for your life. God has numbered your days and will fulfill every purpose He has for you.
How can I put God first in my life?
10. Take a look at your god’s first life planner.
- Write down when you’ll spend time in God’s Word.
- Make a weekly to-do list.
- Plan family activities.
- Schedule some downtime.
- Find encouragement with verses that remind you that with God, anything is possible!
- Prayer reminders for praying throughout the day.
How do you know God is with you?
But how can you tell if it’s your own thoughts or divine inspiration? Galations 5:22-23 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.”
What is God’s will in heaven?
Praying for God’s will to be done in and through our lives on earth, as it is in heaven, means we are willing to go through whatever it takes to make that purpose a reality; our prayer is to be so aligned with God’s will and purpose that we ask God to empower us to carry it out.
What is God’s secret will?
There is a difference between what theologians refer to as “the revealed will of God” and what theologians refer to as “the hidden will of God.” Both are mentioned in Deuteronomy chapter 29, verse 29, where it says: “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and our children forever, that we may do as we please.”
What is God’s perfect will?
The perfect will of God is God’s divine plan for your life, including who you should marry, what career or ministry you should pursue, and so on. It requires patience and trust, because God wants to give you His best, which includes all of His blessings, not the second best.