What Is The Point Of Prayer?

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

Now that the resident know-it-alls have given their wise answers, maybe the Christians here can get a word in, being that you did ask us.

Well, I asked all theists, I didn't specify Christians, but I take your point.

It wasn't that obvious to our know-it alls, I'm pretty sure they believe their experts on this subject, enough of that I'll try and give you an answer.

Okey-dokey.

I pray to grow in a relationship with God, just as you talk to your friends to gain a stronger relationship.

The two cases are in no wise parallel. My friends don't know everything about me, whereas God MUST know everything about you (by definition). Relationships are two-way streets. Your God may give to you, but there is - literally - nothing you can give to God. A relationship between the God of Abraham and a human being is, of necessity, a stagnant one. No 'growth' is possible.

I ask questions of Him about the Bible and many subjects to gain wisdom about things I do not understand growing in a relationship with a teacher.

But this is a form of intercessory prayer, isn't it? You are asking God to give you something (understanding) he hasn't given you already. If he does, then you've managed to get an immutable Being to alter his plans. If he doesn't, then your prayer was ineffectual.

I ask deeper spiritual questions to grow closer to God. I ask that He would help me in problems I run into in life. growing with a mentor.

Same answer with this addendum: Why ask God for help with your problems? Your lot like to go on about the value of faith. Where is your faith that your probloems are good for you? In other words, how can you possibly know that God doesn't WANT you to have these problems?

There are countless reasons to pray, to show thankfulness for His provisions.

What is the point of thanking God for anything, though? Since God cannot act in a manner foreign to his nature, then it was simply fated that you got these provisions, wasn't it?

Think of it this way, your friend gives you a nice gift you open it up and then walk away with no emotions shown or words said, think the friend might feel you are not appreciative. Your friend knew you would be pleased with the gift, it's your friend and friends know what will make friends pleased.

Leaving aside the unalterable fact that we've all gotten crap gifts from friends, the cases are (again) not parallel. Naturally, I would thank a friend for a gift, freely given. But what would be the point of thanking a friend who had no choice BUT to give me a gift? That would be like thanking someone for being left-handed, or for being six feet tall.

God's ultimate will can not be changed, but the lives within that will can have changes to them as long as it does not interfere with God's ultimate will. Healing, financial help, safety, relationships and other things can and are changed as long as it doesn't interfere with His ultimate will. God has not planed out every second of your life nor mine, He leaves us with many choices, he does have plans for our lives and some choose to be consumed in that plan, but most Christians do not and we have that choice.

The trouble with that is is that you cannot possibly know what God's plans are for you, which brings us right back to the futility of prayer. Suppose you (or a loved one, I don't wish to accuse you of being selfish) were desperately, deathly ill. You pray that God heal you. Where did you get the sure and certain knowledge that it isn't God's plan for you to die of this particular disease at this particular time?

[/quote]To show you God has not set your life or mine to a time table that can't be changed, God says children obey your parents and your days may be prolonged, I'd have to look it up but i'm pretty sure there's verses that speak of fools shortening their lives.

God also says that disobediant children are to be killed, which makes your verse sort of a self-fulfilling prophecy.

I pray to praise God and show my respect, what I wonder is why you would think praying is a waste of time, just because God knows everything that will happen in our lives doesn't mean He doesn't want to communicate with us or help us.

That's EXACTLY why I think prayer is a waste of time - God already knows what will happen in your life, so what is the point of trying to get him to change it?

Again, you can't possible know what God wants. For all you know, he may want to be ignored.

Boru