What Is The Point Of Prayer?

[Locke]

Why do you pray? (This is mainly for the theists, obviously.)

It seems to me that prayer, broadly speaking, falls into two general catagories: intercessory prayer (where you ask God to effect a change for you or for someone else) and supplicatory prayer (where you tell God how wonderful he is, or how thankful you are, or some such).

Why bother? If everything which happens is according to God's plan (or God's will, or Divine Providence, or whatever the current buzzword is), then an intercessory prayer cannot possible affect the outcome - what is going to happen has been decided already by God. Furthermore (apos to Ambrose Bierce), isn't it rather arrogant of you to ask God to alter his plans on your behalf, when you've already admitted that you're unworthy to have him do so?

And, since God is omniscient, he already knows that's he terrific and how thankful you are - why do you need to tell him? Seems kind of like if every passenger were to walk up to the bus conductor every two seconds and tell him, 'This is the Number 4 bus.'

That in mind, what is the point of prayer?

Prayer is also for us; we need to voice things to God and spend the time to persevere in prayer. It's about a relationship - relationships take time and effort.

Yes, I'm a sinner.. but Christ died for me and I'm now a son of God. I can approach Him with confidence; knowing that He sent His son to die for me, I have great confidence in that. The Bible teaches that God wants to hear from me, though it also teaches that if I love Him I will obey His commands, and living righteously is a part of having prayer answered:

"The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." - James 5:16b

There are actually times in the Bible when a righteous man pleaded to God, and God listened.

It's about relationship, and it's every bit worth the hard work