What is the purpose of prayer?

1. 66

   LAURENS WRIGHTposted 10 years ago

   What is the purpose of prayer?
   
   I went to a prayer class and the teacher said that God already knows the past, present and future and there is  no reason to pray.  This class was in a Southern Baptist Church and I refuse to believe this.  The teacher said we are Predestined and that our lives are already set in stone and can not be changed.  I believe that God does have a plan for our lives, but we have free will and we do not have to follow God's plan.  I think that prayer does change things, has a purpose and that God can and does change His mind,

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2. 71

   BigJulesMagsposted 10 years ago

   God is a relational God, and always wants us close to Him.  He is jealous for us.  Prayer is simply our conversation with God, and us being humble before the throne.  You can't relate to someone you don't talk to, and God prefers to speak with His children.  It isn't as much about OUTCOME for Him as it is about spending time with us.  And he honors our requests when we choose him over distractions and other alternatives.

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3. 71

   LeslieAdrienneposted 10 years ago

   You are right Laurens, prayer is essential to our daily life in Christ. Forgive that teacher, he either is uniformed, frustrated with unanswered prayer or just simply doesn't know any better. And, BigJulesMags said it well, You can't relate to someone you don't talk to.....God Bless you

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4. 69

   connorjposted 10 years ago

   I believe this prayer teacher that you have described has been mislead. Rather,  prayer (i.e., dark night prayer, deep self-knowledge prayer etc,) brings us to “put on the mind of Christ” (Philippians 2:5). It is this prayer that brings “the peace that surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7). It is prayer that brings us “to attain the very fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:19).
   When I am praying somewhat contemplatively it transforms me so i become a much more significant "listener" to Him. I am not distracted; rather, I am centered on Him, It has a tendency (in me) to transform my "heart" and I am able to see my world in a much better and positive light. If one prays on a regular basis not unlike the way we consume food one is transformed and no longer worries or "sweats the small stuff.".

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5. 0

   christiananrkistposted 10 years ago

   Prayer in simple terms is to build a relationship with God. I also believe he has a plan for our lives. I forget the passage in proverbs, but it says something like we choose our steps but God chooses our destination. I tried looking but i cant seem to find it at the moment. I don't think God changes his mind. I think its like this. You ask your dad for an apple, and he gives it to you. If you didn't ask for it he wouldn't have given it to you. Does that mean he changed his mind. Its a little different than this.

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