Why Pray if God Has Already Determined Everything?

How to our prayers affect the outcome of events? Can our prayers actually change the mind of God? Has God already predetermined what is going to happen and if so, do our prayers really make a difference? What does it mean when the Bible says that "God repented?" These and other questions we will answer in this video.

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[Jovilynch]

Please pray for me. My dad suddenly passed away yesterday. Pray for my family. My mom and little sis.

[mattmoeller]

Prayer is the key that opens many doors that otherwise cannot be opened. Through prayer, God gives us an opportunity to ask and talk to Him. He knows the outcomes, but He allows us to have choices.

[NNShephard]

I think God also looks at our hearts to see the motivation behind our prayers. Are we ready and mature enough for what we are asking as well.

[ambition]

0:26: 🙏 This video explores the question of whether our prayers can change God's mind.
3:54: 💡 The video discusses the question of whether our prayers can change God's mind and emphasizes the importance of obedience to the Bible regardless of the outcome.
7:56: 🔄 Theology is important because it helps answer the question of whether God changes his mind based on new information.
11:46: 🙏 Prayer can change God's mind and bring about healing and blessings in one's life.
15:41: 😢 God was grieved by the wickedness of mankind, but it doesn't mean He had second thoughts about creating them.
Recap by Tammy AI

[davidarcelay-pizarro]

Great word brother Allen! Very well explained. The very moment we can fully comprehend God with our feeble mind, He then stops being God. We don’t need to always know the why behind His actions or commandments, we just need to fully trust Him and obey Him.

[DavidPerez-tkgv]

Our Heavenly Father is full of mercy and compassion. Glory and Praise to our Lord Jesus

[josee]

My favorite prayer is the one Jesus prays before going to the cross : " “Abba, Father, ” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” Mark 14:36

[bjoneswhite]

I remember studying that chapter in Exodus (32) and thinking the same thing, but I knew He is all-knowing and you can't change His mind. What I came up with is He loves us so much that he doesn't mind involving us at times in his plan. It makes us feel good that we can have "sorta" executive decisions in the outcome all though the outcome was already Written or planned. And in Jonah, he knew the people of Nineveh would repent. Obviously, because God is all-knowing. Also, it helps us exercise our faith.
God knew he was going to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah but he let Abraham (Gen 18) in on what he was going to do. He allowed Abraham to try to "save" this city but he was showing Abraham how wicked that place really was.
And prayers really really work especially if you have the gift of Prayer Intercession you know exactly what I mean. In the book of Daniel 10, you see the angel came to him after his fast and said "I would have been here sooner but I was detained by the prince of Persia" The enemy would try everything in the spiritual realm to not let your prayer go through. SO KEEP PRAYING

[rhea_celeste]

As a teenager I had the argument that “whatever happens is supposed to happen, so why do I need to pray?” So glad He has taught me differently since then! How could I have a relationship with Him without speaking to Him?

[kengineexpress]

The way I look at it as this: God always makes the first move, and we are respondent to Him, however he responds back and reveals Himself when it’s the right time according to Him.

[ChildofGod]

I Thank you Jesus, that even in times of need, despair, and brokenness, you are there for me. Please, put your arms around me and my children. I trust you Heavenly Father no matter what. Like many other single parents things are tough on me. Both of my sons are special needs. I’m constantly struggling to provide for them and now that I’m home schooling them my hours to work are limited. I’m overwhelmed. Father God hear my prayers. My faith in you is strong! Even as I constantly struggle to pay my rent. And I constantly struggle to provide groceries for my children. I’m keeping faith. Walking with faith is the most important thing us christian’s can do. That’s why love compassion and prayers are all we truly need. Please keep me and my boys in your prayers. Prayers are all I NEED!

[jamesanderson]

Our GOD determines what happens based on our choices. GOD got it covered either way. Great discussions.

[darnelldupar]

You truly do have the Holy Spirit Brother Allen. You answered that perfectly. Thank you, and God bless you sir.

[GlitterSkies]

My understanding of this is that God has determined every consequence of every action we take. So He knows that if you deny Him, you will be in hell. Same that if you believe in Him, you will be in heaven. This is also where free will comes in to play. He allows us to make choices. He has already determined the outcome based on our choice and knows our hearts when we make said choice (aka the chances of us going back on our choice if the decision was already weakly/strongly made).

It’s kind of like when you know someone will go back to smoking after they quit, because they weakly choose to quit every weekend. Except on an entirely different level.

So that’s why we should still pray. God knows and has predetermined the consequences if we don’t trust in Him, but He still allows us to make the choice. That, I believe, is why He’s saddened by our choices. He knows what greatness He has set apart for us if we had just made the right choices. But He’s also a just God, so if we make poor choices we will experience the consequences.

[liahlove]

From my experience with prayers. God knows everything, but God tend to act when we humble ourselves and invite him to intervene in our lives. I've had him help me with my illness, career, family issues etc. And looking back, if I did not pray, my life would have been in a complete mess and I probably wouldn't have been alive today. So just pray about everything like the Bible commands. Be blessed!

[jamesfisherman]

I heard the same question answered by the late RC Sproul in his usual combined theological and philosophical approach but you, Allen Parr, handled the question well and gave the appropriate Scriptures and examples that would buttress the point and answer the question with a biblical answer that - God does not change His mind or repent over something simply because He is God, nothing surprises Him.

All information are known to Him, so that even though at first reading, Moses, Elijah or Hezekiah seems to have triggered God with their prayers to "change "His mind - actually God never changed His mind because He knew they would pray to Him and nothing they prayed for surprised Him at all! Thanks for this enlightening answer to a difficult question, all glory to God🙏

[latoyateague]

Through prayer, we make requests, we petition, and offer thanksgiving!

Prayer-communing, partnership, and agreement with the father…

Through prayer we permit the purpose and plans of God to be carried out in our lives in all situations🙌🙌

The effectual fervent prayer of the righteous man avails much!!!

[FranLaVoix]

This was my struggle for a few years after what I believed God was leading me in was now changed due to my waywardness. I see now that God’s purpose may be the same. Even though seasons in my life will change. This has helped me focus on God’s purpose and plan, including his direction in my life and what it’s purposed for rather than earthly and fleshly changes.

Thank you brother Allen for this!

[meaganlingenhoel]

This is great! Thank you for continuing to share truths in such thoughtful and simple ways!

[yourbodyyourpocketbook]

We pray to seek His will in all things. Praise be to Him, to God be all the glory!