[SERay]

This is one of the most asked question I think, and there is no concrete answer for each situation. It would take a volume to cover every scriptural facet of this one topic. Along with "Why does god answer some prayers and not others?" is equally as popular as "Why does God allow suffering?" Both are crucibles in battle between logic and faith.

I think one of the most neglected attributes of prayer is understanding it as a principle verses some mystical discipline. Although the interfacing and results are spiritually endowed, the practice is more about discipline and practice grounded in the passion of the heart. I think I have another thread that goes into the exposition of how prayer is the means by which the corporal being interfaces with the spiritual realm. Not only to communicate with it, but also to tap into it. The allegiance of our hearts will define the results of the outcome and source of the power. A Satanist or voodoo priestess can pray equally as effective as a Muslim or a Christian. In our narrowness of thinking, Christians sometimes falsely perceive prayer as some spiritual appliance dedicated only to the Christian experience. However, it is correct to surmise that prayer unto the Creator through Christ Jesus is the proper conduit.

What then is the purpose of prayer? Most Christians have a difficult time answering these questions in light of scripture. This is partly due to our struggle with harmonizing the idea of God's sovereignty and immutability, coupled with His Word, that we should pray and our prayers will be answered. We might conclude that since God answers our prayers, this means that our prayer changes things. But while it is true that prayer changes things, the question is, exactly what does it really change? Does it work to change the minds and heart of those who pray, or does it actually change the mind of God? God is quite clearly omniscient, infallible and immutable. Yet prayers are declared in scripture to be answered if properly deployed. For if God knows all, and He is infallible and perfect in all His judgments, how can He change His mind in accordance with the will of our prayers?

First and foremost we should establish that the scriptures are abundantly clear that the mind of God is to do His will, not ours. Thus, any answered prayer must be considered in the light of that first principle. And perfect judgments are not judgments that will be countermanded. "But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desires, even that he does." (Job 23:13)

Whatever is His will, He does! Clearly God's counsels are immutable, and there are no earthly interests or counselors by whom God may be persuaded to turn away from His ordained purposes and will. However, when petitioning for His mercy as Abraham did as intercession for Sodom (Genesis 18:19) God might divert His discipline in favor of our prayers. But we should understand, if we pray for a blessing, and we receive it, it is not that we altered the course of things. It is that we prayed for what was in the purpose of God. i.e., God had always intended for us to petition Him (for our own sakes) for what was in His will to give us. In other words, His counsel stood sure and didn't change, it was just that we didn't know His counsel, and asked according to His foreknowledge and will.

"But to Hannah he gave a double portion because he loved her, and the LORD had closed her womb. And because the LORD had closed her womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her." (1 Samuel 1:5-6)

"Early the next morning they arose and worshiped before the LORD and then went back to their home at Ramah. Elkanah lay with Hannah his wife, and the LORD remembered her. So in the course of time Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, "Because I asked the LORD for him." (1 Samuel 1:19-20)

God shut up Hannah's womb, and she prayed and petitioned the Lord for a son, and God indeed answered her prayer. But there is a big difference between God answering prayer, and God having a change of mind because of prayer. This is what seems to confuse some people. The point being, the Lord had always ordained and intended to raise up Hannah's son Samuel as a great prophet, but He answered her prayer that she might be an example of how God uses us, granting us participation in His glorious salvation program. Just as Jesus said when he raised Lazarus, that it was to reveal God's glory. (John 11:4-6) As a result of this scripture notation, Hanna is a role model of promise, a continuing witness to all of us who come after, of the power of prayer concerning God's people.

The objection to this might be raised stating, "Why then do we have to pray, if God is Sovereign and will do according to His will anyway?" Because Jesus taught us to pray to the father for what we need. God is all knowing and infinite, we know only in part and are finite. Thus we don't have to understand His counsel, but we do have to be obedient to it. God knows, He instructs, we obey without question, because we are servants not counselors.

Additionally, it is because we are not only growing ourselves by prayer, but we are the tools that God uses to achieve His work on earth. Whether God intends that work of prayer to be in us, or in others whom we pray for, He ordained prayer to change things. Thus the prayer of the elect is always meaningful and effectual because it is our petition that His will be done. And it brings about intangible, internal, spiritual benefits and growth for the petitioner, even when the petition is denied. All the good that we receive from God have their source from beyond human agency. And as the vessels of mercy that God before has prepared unto glory, our prayer is part of that preparation in our walk in this world. Our prayer in repentance in seeking Him, or in petitioning on behalf of others, produces change in us as we submit to accept the outcome. For benevolence and prayer go hand in hand, even as Love of God aligns with love of our neighbors even as ourselves (Galatians 5:14).

Does God answer prayer and does prayer change things? We all know benevolent prayer is righteous, but God's will supersedes our sometimes vain will. Does God answer selfish prayer in the sense that our present monetary situation, a desired relationship, our physical condition, or the condition of others will be changed by our petition? No, not always. Maybe not even a majority of the time. Because it's not always God's will that one be made physically well, or that one be made financially set, or that we might have enemies removed from our life. But prayer does change things in that it changes the trust we have in ourselves, wherein we transition to recognize and accept our full dependence and trust upon God. Indeed, in times of doubt, trouble or despair, that is when "we" need our prayers the most. It is a conduit to our Lord God, and it strengthens us. Even when some may not feel God is listening, prayer is working because it is in human weakness that the perfection of God is realized. We find that strength in the Spirit, as it brings our prayers perfectly to the throne of God. He will not close His ears to the prayer of the believer, even though it may appear so.

"Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." (2 Corinthians 12:8-9)

What the apostle Paul asked God to take away his physical trial, God did not take away. But He took away so much more than the ailing thorn in the flesh. The unyielding trial buffeted his pride which would have made his ministry ineffective. And God added to the spirit of Paul so much more than worldly peace or a lack of tribulation. He added to him the knowledge that in our weakness we see revealed God's helping power. The rejuvenation of the soul is often accomplished through our prayers. For in our weakness, we are made strong in the Lord, our faith. In our humanity, we may desire gain, life, relief, but His grace is sufficient and far better than any gain or worldly relief we might pray for. So in the final analysis, we must trust and leave it up to God to determine the matter. Our prayers are the basic declarations of our need, and they are answered through faith in God’s provision, according to His will. Prayer maintains our personal relationship with God. It nourishes our trust so that we may find God-given strength in our dependence upon Him. So when we pray, we should seek the eternal things of the kingdom, not the temporal things that profit little.

The difference prayer makes is in us and in those around us, not in God. Prayer is for our benefit, for it is through prayer that the believer is learning more about them self through their relationship with God. Through this spiritual conduit of power, we can better understand that the Lord is our only protector, foundation, strength and fortress. For it is by the discipline of prayer to God, that His will is revealed to His servants. It is how we consciously petition and receive power from on high, that we may live the life that God intends for us. The practice of petitionary prayer is very Biblical, and the truth of its efficacy is deeply rooted in the scriptures. God desires us to petition Him that we may grow in grace and communion with God, by our identification with Him.

In reflection of your example of marriage in trial. In all things, we must first count the cost and carefully examine each step against the precepts of God. In contrast, we typically rush into a situation without weighing our choices, and later regret the hastiness of our decision. Then, while in the midst of the conflict, petition God to change the problem when all the while our choices lead us into that valley. Unforeseen to us, but now a real problem to contend. Certainly, our loving Father will assist us in any way possible, but it may be that we are bound to that conflict less having to compromise our own integrity to escape it. While rare couples may jump into a relationship, lacking any proper prayer or careful evaluation, but have fortune (luck) to have choose a viable mate that works well. It is unfortunate that some marriages / relationships appear sublime while others are trials without end.

This thought refers back to the earlier question of reputation "Why Does God Allow Suffering." It is not a choice or preference on God's part that somehow one might suffer more than another, but rather the unfortunate lot in life in some cases. Sometimes by our own choices, but others simply due to residing in a depreciating and sin ridden sphere. It is the call of the Christian to change for the better what we can though his power, seek serenity in any given situation, make peace with our limitations and situations that can't be changed, accept it, take responsibility for it and strive unceasingly for the Lord to take dominion of everything.

Christ prayed that the cup of suffering pass from him, but said, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." (Matthew 26:36)