If God has a plan why are people praying to him to change it?

Question

And if God knows everything, exactly what are you informing him of in that prayer?

Tony- "We pray to change God's will and to inform Him?!?"

Jess- "Technically, you're informing Him of how you feel."

Praying that miners get out alive is praying to change God's will if God's will is to have the miners die.

Praying to God at dinner to thank him for your food is an attempt at telling god you're thankful for your food, but according to you he already knew that.

In fact, all words are either in an attempt to explain something, or in seeking an explanation in something.

Under that logic there is nothing to explain to someone/something that already knows and understands everything. And with the concept of a plan of an all knowing all powerful being comes the ideology that everything happens in accordance with this plan. If God's plan entails you understanding it, that will happen. If not it won't. So why are you praying?

And believe it or not, this is your logic, not mine.

Answer 1

and why pretend people have freewill?

Answer 2

Perhaps His powers are limited to circumstances where people pray, and even then he has to spin the cosmic wheel of chance before making a decision. That way, prayer slightly raises one's chances of success, but does not make any guarentees. This means God's "plan" resorts to randomness, but it's still His plan because it's his decision to resort to randomness in the first place. That's the best explanation I can imagine right now, and I'm not sure it would be any more satisfying if I actually believed in Him.

Of course, the best non-religious answer is probably that prayer can have a great psychological efect, especially in physical health (a positive outlook is known to boost the immune system) personal relationships. If you pray to become a better person, for instance, lo and behold, it will probably happen — because, of course, you're under the impression that God is helping you, and that impression can sometimes be as powerful as any potential diety.

Answer 3

You pray for understanding of His plan and the ability to cope with it. Technically, you're informing Him of how you feel. He does like to hear from people, no matter what.

Answer 4

I can only speak about myself. When I pray for a change I always end with may your will be done, not mine. Usually though I only pray in order to talk to my best companion, just as though he were my best friend.

Peace

Answer 5

I am not praying that He change a thing. I pray that He help me to do His will and to enable me to be a good person.

Answer 6

We pray to change God's will and to inform Him?!?

Your knowledge of faith and religion is incredibly limited and undeveloped....even by the standards of the YA Board.

And that's saying something.

Answer 7

You're right, it would be better to pray for the STRENGTH to accept his plan.

Answer 8

We are praying to know his will for our lives

Answer 9

I'm asking that His will be done. Who am I to dictate to God? We're not talking about Santa here.