Prayer and the Sovereignty of God

I know I may risk a following here, many will disagree with me, and we all have an opinion on the subject, but if God is sovereign then why do we pray? Do our prayers change God’s plan? Can I influence the hand of God? Or is there another purpose for prayer?

The disciples asked Jesus how to pray (Luke 11:1) and we got “The Lords Prayer.” Jesus has taught on this subject more then once. Yet I believe, this prayer is the most misused, misunderstood words in the Bible, and has become “vain repetition” in more ways than one.

Do we pray because we are instructed to? Does the Bible command us to pray, or did Jesus say, “And when you pray...?” Luke 11:2 Is prayer the words I say to God or my thoughts toward Him? Is prayer those emotions I feel through tears of surrender when I am humbled under His hand? Is it prayer when I am angry and upset with God and say things I shouldn’t say?

Careful now, He knows your every thought!

There is so much to say about prayer, but what is prayer? Does God do..., for those who don’t pray? If God is sovereign and is waiting for me in my future, then who needs to hear my prayers? Does God need them, or do I? Luke chapter 11 encourages us to ask, seek, and knock, but what are we asking, seeking and knocking for? Much of this sounds self-centered. What really offends me is when I hear someone praying as if to embarrass God into doing something, then when the prayer is not answered, accuses others for their lack of faith. Is prayer all about getting, or is prayer our giving?

My favorite verse in the Bible about prayer is Nehemiah 2:4. “So I prayed to the God in Heaven.” In context Nehemiah is not on his knees, his eyes are not closed, his head is not bowed, he did that in chapter 1. Instead, he is standing with eyes fixed upon the King of Babylon engaged in conversation giving a personal defense. Many would say, in this moment it was not time to pray.

When is the right time? How do we pray without ceasing?

In my book, “Jesus With Skin On, You Know What I Mean...Real!”, I share a story about praying and asking God for an airplane. In this story I mention my intensity, persistence and focus in prayer, how I have quoted Gods Word in prayer with a beggars heart and how I have challenged God with His love for me. Well, ... I have seen God at work. My airplane story shows a God with skin on. This story shares with you how that God doesn’t need our prayers, but rather greatly desires them. He wants to hear from us so bad that he left the realms of Heaven and died a cruel death on a cross in order to open the doors of Heaven to hear from you.

God has shown me His glory because of prayer. This is why we pray!