To Christians: What's the point of prayer?

Question

I ask this for a few reasons:
1. If he answers your prayers, then you say it was God's intervention. If he fails to answer your prayers you claim it was part of his plan. Wasn't it part of his plan already? You really can't have it both ways.

2. If you pray, your prayer may come true or not. If you don't pray, your prayer may come true or not. Um... wouldn't that be the same as chance?

3. If God has a plan and knows all, then why would prayer be necessary. Wouldn't his plan take into account the needs of people. Wouldn't be part of his plan? Don't you think it would be inappropriate to suppose he doesn't know what you want/need? Wouldn't it further be inappropriate to assume your needs could/should/would supercede his plan and/or not arleady be a part of it?

4. Prayer has been proven not to help, in fact it hurts. See link.
I ask this for a few reasons:
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/31/health/31pray.html?ex=1301461200&en=4acf338be4900000&ei=5088

Answer 1

Prayer is the elevation of the mind and heart to God:
+ In praise of his glory
+ In petition for some desired good
+ In thanksgiving for a good received
+ In intercession for others before God

Through prayer the Christian experiences a communion with God through Christ in the Church.

"For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy." (St. Thérèse of Lisieux)

"Prayer is the raising of one's mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God." (St. John Damascene)

But when we pray, do we speak from the height of our pride and will, or "out of the depths" of a humble and contrite heart? (Psalm 130:1)

He who humbles himself will be exalted; humility is the foundation of prayer. Only when we humbly acknowledge that "we do not know how to pray as we ought," are we ready to receive freely the gift of prayer. "Man is a beggar before God."

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

Intercessor's Code
Prayer is a hallowed trust. The commitment to pray for another is the acceptance of the invitation to co-labor with Jesus, our Great High Priest who ever lives to make intercession for each of us. It is a privilege that should never be taken lightly.

In light of this:

The statement, “I’ll pray for you.” must be considered a sacred promise. Never take on the obligation if you do not mean to be faithful to the task. It is far better to pray with the person on the spot and discharge the responsibility immediately than to fail to keep your word. “Let your ‘Yes,’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No,’ lest you fall into judgment.” James 5:12

Never betray anyone’s confidence. Intercessors must be trustworthy. Talebearing even in the form of “prayer requests” is an abomination to the Lord. Set the ground rules up front. If you feel that you must share with someone close to you such as a spouse or a prayer partner, make it known before the individual shares with you. Always get permission before disclosing another‘s need.

Understand I Corinthians 10:13a - No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man. Never judge anyone who brings a need to you for prayer. A judgmental attitude will nullify your ability to intercede.

Always listen! Never lecture! After a period of intercession, perhaps the Holy Spirit will grant you a word of wisdom or knowledge for the person for whom you are praying. When He does - give His Counsel.

Bring each situation before the Lord and seek His answer - His will in the situation. Intercession is NOT trying to bend God’s will to ours. It is discovering His will and opening a channel of prayer that will cause it to manifest itself in the physical realm.

Answer 3

I asked this question awhile ago and the basic answers I got were, "we pray to talk to God, not to ask for things"

But then I constantly hear about prayers being answered...which would imply something was asked for and God's plan was either carried out (as if it wouldn't have been w/o prayer), or it was denied or ignored.

Doesn't make much sense to me.

Answer 4

The point of prayers is to talk to God. You can't have a good relationship with someone if you don't talk to them.
God doesn't have to answer every single prayer. Sometimes he provides answers to our prayers but we just sit on our behinds doing nothing about it. If I prayed to God asking him to give me a job, nothing will happen unless I actually go and look for a job. God answers our prayers in his due time. Plus, not everyone prayers are answered because everyone isn't a true servant of God and they don't pray in the correct way. There are many ways to pray to God, instead of just asking stuff from him. What about prayers of thanksgiving?

Answer 5

Dear, let me just say this about the New York Times. They can say whatever they want, I know that prayer works, I have seen it.

The utmost part of prayer is communion with God. I also desire to put myself in line with God's will. I pray most of all because His word tells me to. And, it gives me peace. I also know I serve a God who hears, and answers, prayer. You're right, we don't always get our prayers answered the way, or when, we want. But a Christian understands that God has other things in mind and His ways are always superior to ours.

Please don't listen to newspaper articles or anyone who tells you that God doesn't hear your prayers. Of course He does. He hears, He loves you, and He will answer you when you call on Him and seek Him with your whole heart.

Answer 6

Prayer is to enable you to hear yourself, and understand yourself and know yourself, mediation if you will. Christians are not the only people who pray, and not all prayers are religious. So, relax. If you have prayed and asked for something and did not have your "wish" granted, well, guess what. Sometimes G-d says "NO". G-d is not a genie and does not live in an oil lamp. Okay, it's time to grow up and stop thinking that life is in a Disney movie. Prayers are for the individual saying them, not anyone else.

Answer 7

Prayer like meduitation is focusing the mind on a particular area where you need guidance
Its always answered in time

Answer 8

you forgot one when something bad happens they say God doesn't intervene then why pray if God doesn't intervene
but if something good does happen they will respond God listened to my prayer

Answer 9

I am going to have to disagree with #4. Prayer has helped me and not hurt me.

Answer 10

My opinion on prayer is that it allows us to be truthful to ourselves.