Why Do We Pray?
Q: Why does God want us to pray? If God knows our heart, why do we need to “tell” God what’s in our heart?
A: Great questions that are asked by probably hundreds of millions of people. It seems the idea of “God wanting…” anything is a silly anthropomorphic projection, (human characteristic thrust upon God).
The following is borrowed from many, and is my opinion, based on much reflection.
Let’s establish Context: God is The Ultimate Constant, beyond all universes, formless, Infinitely Powerful - (Omnipotence), all Knowing - (Omniscience), Everywhere Present - (Omnipresence), Unconditional Love, Benevolence; the Source of all creation.
The Presence of God is the Source of creation. No magic wands were waved, nor decisions made to sketch a blueprint for a new critter to exist. Rather, to use a crude metaphor, God is “like” our Sun, which doesn’t “do” anything. It simply radiates massive amounts of energy that seems to be the source of sustenance that feeds all life here on Earth. However, the degree of power is so far beyond our Sun. The Big Bang is too simplistic because creation continues each moment as new universes are continuously coming into form and expanding.
All that being said, we don’t need to inform Omniscience of anything. “It” already knows. I feel we are changed when we speak the deepest things in our heart to Divinity, God. God is not Santa Claus that provides, as Janis Joplin requested, a Mercedes Benz. We become transformed a little bit each time we spend time in the Presence. Just as we are affected by spending time in the Sun, we are enhanced by spending time in the Presence.
And there is this phenomenon of intercessory prayer, the Heisenberg Principle, that one’s consciousness impacts the outcome of an event. Thoughts held in mind tend to manifest.
In 1983, as a 22-year-old missionary in the Philippines, I learned quickly to have a sermon in my pocket at all times. On a Sunday morning in a little church as the last worship song was sung, the pastor leaned over to me and asked me to give a talk. As I reached for my notes, it was as if an angel inaudibly said to me, “We’re not going to be talking about that today.”
I thought, Okay Lord, what will we be talking about?
As I was being introduced I had nothing to say and the moment the introduction ended this angelic entity gave me a sentence. As it was interpreted, another sentence came, then another, and another. This continued for maybe 20 to 30 minutes. To this date, I’m sure it was the best sermon ever given through me, and I had nothing to do with it, except for this little part close to the end:
“I am alive today because my two grandmothers prayed for me.”
The moment that sentence came out of my mouth it was a revelation to me that prayer works! That was the only content that had anything to do with me. Then the talk continued for a few more minutes:
“So, rise up mighty men and women of valor, for the Lord has a very powerful and important ministry for you. Pray for your children, pray for your grandchildren, in doing this you participate in the good work they achieve with their lives…”
I learned so much from that experience. God can use anybody who is willing to be flexible, at any time, anywhere. I felt like a radio, receiving a signal and verbalizing it, as it came in. I also learned that my grandmothers’ prayers were definitely answered.
A footnote about this little church. It was a customized talk just for them. All of the congregants were quite old. When the “rise up mighty men and women” part came up, there wasn’t a dry eye in the place. The Holy Spirit was touching these people from within. The words given through me were just a validation of what was happening long before I arrived and continued long after I left.
Rise up, keep on praying … it changes things, it changes us and the people we love. Thank you Grandma B & Grandma G!
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