Spiritual guidance powered by AI and grounded in Scripture
Your Question:
What's the point of praying when it doesn't seem to make a difference?
Answer:
As a pastor and a Christian, I've often been asked this question by people who struggle to understand the purpose of prayer. They may feel that their prayers aren't being answered, or that God is in control anyway, so why bother praying? But the Bible teaches us that prayer is a vital part of our relationship with God. Jesus encourages his disciples to pray and gives them the Lord's Prayer as a model for how to do it (Matt. 6:9-13). A lack of prayer demonstrates a lack of faith and trust in God's Word. Prayer isn't just about getting what we want from God; it's about building a relationship with Him and acknowledging our dependence on Him. When we pray, we're not just asking for things; we're saying, "Lord, I need Your presence and Your power in my life." We're recognizing that we can't do things on our own and that we need God's help and guidance. Praying in the name of Jesus gives us authority over the enemy and proves we have faith in God to do what His Word promises (John 16:23). So, why should we pray? We pray because God exhorts us to pray unceasingly (1 Thess. 5:17), even for those who persecute us (Matt. 5:44). Prayer is a way of acknowledging God's sovereignty and our dependence on Him. It's not about changing God's mind or getting Him to do something He wouldn't do anyway. It's about building a relationship with Him and trusting in His goodness and power. When we pray, we're not just asking for things; we're saying, "Lord, I trust in You and Your goodness, and I know that You will work in my life in amazing ways."
Sources:
jesus on trial
david limbaugh
how to pray
c s lewis
power of a praying parent
stormie omartian
systematic theology
wayne grudem
kingdom of cults
walter martin
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