What does prayer change?

From: anonymous
Why should I pray? God already knows everything that has happened and will happen. Why should I pray?

Our Answer
Some believers believe that life is set out like a timeline, with pieces already in place. To some extent, which varies by church and even individual, that leads to a fatalism, just trying to make it to where you are blessed by God, without really understanding how anything you would do could make a difference. Even more than that, some believe that God has things so much under control that our prayers are like a lottery ticket- we never win but we think we can.
We don't believe that creation is in that kind of time-line scenario, but that's a conversation for another day. Today we're talking about our prayers, and how God works in and through them.
C. S. Lewis says that we should pray not to change God, but to allow God to change us. I agree with that in good measure, but scripture also talks about people changing God.
But to us, God is an intimate partner, a Lord who not only has our best at heart, but also listens to, responds to, and changes things because of our prayers.
It comes from our understanding of God- God is not mostly concerned with the stuff of life, but primarily with us, and our relationships- to God and others- in this world and eternity. We believe scripture shows that we were created for those relationships- with God and others- and while God is "the same yesterday, today and forever" in many ways, God is also sensitive to us and changes things in and through our relationship with God.
The Bible, has many places where we see God having a serious conversation, changing God's mind and doing unusual things for those people who ask.
Our first example is Cain- yes, that sibling-murdering wanderer. Even in being punished, Cain asked for relief from God's punishment of him, and in return received the "Mark of Cain" (which could have been the first tattoo in the Bible!) to protect him from others who might decide to do him harm.
A second example in Genesis is Abra(ha)m. God goes to tell Abram about his son to be born (which would lead in part to the name change) and talks with him about Sodom and Gomorrah, Abram starts asking God for mercy, and ends up getting a promise that the city would be saved if only 5 people are righteous.
A third conversation, from Exodus, concerns Moses and the Israelites. A number of times, God is done with the ex-slaves he rescued to a desert. Moses appeals to God's nature, to God's reputation, and to God's mercy to keep working with them, and keep redeeming (making something good out of bad, as in our first post!) them.
Another episode comes from Joshua 10. The Israelites are facing the enemy, and God says that they will win as long as it is day. So, after marching all night to get where God wanted the battle, Joshua and the army fight all day. As the sun begins to set, Joshua, who has obeyed God in every way about this, asks God to do something else. God causes the sun to stand still so that the Israelites win the battle.
We could keep going, but the point is made. As Isaiah said, there is no other God like our God, who works on the behalf of those who love him.
Jesus goes on to teach further on our relationship with God and prayer. Believers are told that nothing is impossible if they are following God, that God will graciously give all things to those who seek God's Kingdom first, and that God wants good things for his children, much as a Father who would respond in love when their child asked for bread to eat. Jesus prays often, at least some times all night, as he does his work one art, and goes on to ask the Father for relief from his purpose, as if that conversation does matter, the night before he dies. If the Son of God does it, that might be a clue as to the value of some activity.
According to various scriptures, we pray for God's will, for provision, direction and protection, and for the church and others who need Christ. We pray for God to work, and work as if God will answer our prayer. And according to these and other passages, God will change lives, situations, kingdoms and eternity based on the faith and prayers of God's people.

Welcome to Smart Christians!

Hi!
Welcome to a new feature at Eastside- our blog!
Allow me to share before our first real post. The blog is titled "Smart Christians"- for a very real reason. There are MANY topics that smart, wise believers have questions and can have honest discussions about. The Smart Christian in the title is one absolutely committed to the Lordship of Christ, attempting to find a place where their faith informs the realities, problems and challenges of today. We don't think we have all the answers, just that we know the one who does.
Each blog will focus on a part of modern life and its relationship to our faith. Our goal is to find Christ's way in areas that scripture is less than totally clear on. Scripture is seen as our standard, but not as a science book, cookbook or idea proof-text. We believe it is fully inspired by God and shows us everything we need for faith and life.
As part of the rich Wesleyan-Arminian tradition, Nazarenes welcome conversations with all others, and find themselves between polar extremes of theology and belief on a number of issues.
We welcome discussion, as long as it is respectful and about the topic, not personal. So hang on and enjoy the ride!