If god has a plan and purpose for your life ...?

Question

What exactly is the point of supplicative prayer? Isn't asking god to heal a loved one or for a new mercedes questioning his great plan? People say that prayer changes things ... if you truly revere god as much as you say, what makes you think that your requests would be enough to make him change one part of his divine plan ... which might, in fact, have an effect on his purpose for others?

Wasn't prayer originally intended for praise, not to be your "wishlist" for god?

Answer 1

The truly devout, never prayed to ask for anything. They only prayed for forgiveness and praise because they felt ashamed of asking God, who they thought gave them everything from birth already.

Even if they were poor mind you.

I try to refrain from asking God anyhing.

But there is a thought system that says, that God would not have given problems if He didnt want us to ask Him for help. Not everyone can be devout. Not everyone can be a saint.

But we are weak creatures, we are encouraged to ask for help when we truly need it.

Answer 2

Prayer for a Mercedes is selfish and God grants us free will. Your parents know you need something, but don't you ask for things anyway? I think prayer is just talking to God about whatever you want. God has a plan for all things. Things will work out the way He intends, but it's nice to check and make sure you are on the same page.

Answer 3

Think of prayer as not asking but thanking. God wants us to pray so that we can see miracles happen, and if God thought that prayers may change one part of his divine plan then why did he create it.

When praying thank God right then and there for answering that prayer cus u know He will. And as we all know God doesnt always answer prayers, he has a reason for everything

Answer 4

There are limits to what is acceptable to ask for in prayer to the Almighty. Christ gave instructions as to what is is his followers ought to pray for, however, and these included some personal things. The best explanation of his instructions that I've seen online, is in this short set of articles:

‘You Must Pray This Way’...
The Lord 's Prayer--Its Meaning for You
- That God's name be sanctified... What Is It?
- For God's Will to Take Place on Earth
> Prayer and Our Physical Needs
> Our Prayers and Forgiveness
> Help to Pursue a Righteous Course
> Faith in God Essential
http://watchtower.org/library/w/2004/9/15/article_02.htm

And this has the Scriptural explanation
of the goals that jehovah's Witnesses work toward:

What Is God's Purpose for the Earth?
http://watchtower.org/library/rq/article_05.htm

There are many things that we need to pray about. Don't you pay more attention to those who regularly communicate you, and not at all to those who ignore you? Why should God be any different?

Answer 5

Prayer is actually a two way communication with God. Part of communicating with someone is letting them know what you see in them, worship. Part of communicating is talking about your concerns, asking for healing or help. Part of communication is listening, being open to the directions and advice God gives.

Prayer should not be running to the guy with all the toys and asking for everything that you want or desire. There is nothing wrong with asking or expressing a desire but it that's the only reason you pray it's empty.

Answer 6

God can change his mind. With the flood, he was going to kill all of the human race and land animals. Had it not been for the prayers of Noah, God would have done just that.
And, yes, you are right; prayer is not a wish list. Nor is it a "why did you let this happen?" or a "if you are for real, why didn't you answer my prayer?" list.
If you don't have a relationship with God, don't expect him to answer your prayers only when you are in serious need. That's using him. Nobody likes to be used.

Answer 7

Uh... what was the question??? Ur HOT!

Ok seriously... I'll answer that...

Well prayer is powerful... prayer is kind of like an invisible psychologist... You pray hard for what you want to happen... But while you pray... You'll hear His words (or your own) and it'll explain to you why things are the way they are... You are right... prayer was intended for praise... But also to build that relationship with God.

Answer 8

God calls us to pray, and he knows what we are going to pray for before we do, but he still calls us to do this, to show our faith and love towards Him.
PRAYER DOES WORK! That is why He calls us to pray! And of course it works according to HIS WILL, that is what most people forget. If it is something that is not going to glorify Him, (say you are asking him for something) then it wont be answered the way you want, all our prayers are answered in His timing and according to His will, which far exceeds anything we can imagine---and is always for the GOOD.
I am so thankful the Lord has me in His hands.....I quiver at the thought of not having Him in my life.
There are so many verses on prayer....and this is one good one that the Lord tells those who love Him:
Romans 12:12
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

Answer 9

I look at prayer as communication with God....like communicating with people. You talk about your day, thanking for the good things and wishing the bad things hadn't happened. Sometimes that includes wishing a sick person gets better.....I don't think we should limit our communication with God to just praises....we should speak with God about everything.

Peace, Love and Blessings

Answer 10

Great question!

It's OK to ask for things to go the way we think they should but we should always pray that His will be done in all things as He knows what's down the road and always has our best interests in mind.

There's a parable in Luke chapter 18 about such a woman that persisted in requests for justice.

Go ahead and ask - He loves to hear from you.