Sæktu forritiðCan I Change God’s Mind Through Prayer? Sýnishorn
Prayer and God’s Sovereign Plan
Prayer is not only God’s instrument for Christians to use in their lives. While we should pray for changes in our circumstances, for God’s provision, and for the fulfillment of our heart’s desires, there is a deeper reason God gave us the power of prayer. Prayer is a means through which God accomplishes His will and extends His Kingdom on this earth through the Gospel.
In what is known as “The Lord’s Prayer,” Jesus taught His disciples to ask for God’s Kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. This underscores that prayer is an instrument of evangelism and aligns our desires with God’s sovereign plan.
The Bible instructs us to pray for the expansion of the Gospel in two key ways. First, we should pray for more Christian ministers to preach the Good News. Christ told us to ask the Father to send more workers into His harvest field. In the Book of Acts, the disciples prayed for increased boldness to preach God’s truth despite persecution. The Apostle Paul also asked his fellow believers to pray that he would proclaim the Gospel fearlessly.
Secondly, the Bible instructs us to pray for the hearts of unbelievers. God desires the whole world to be saved, and Christ died for everyone. However, the world is under the sway of Satan. Scripture instructs us to pray for people who do not know Jesus to be receptive to the Gospel. Jesus said no one comes to salvation unless the Father draws them. We need to pray that the Holy Spirit will prepare people’s hearts to receive the truth and that the workers of the Gospel will effectively minister to them. Pray that the eyes of unbelievers will be opened to the truth of God’s Word so they can turn from darkness and receive forgiveness of sins.
Prayer is a powerful means through which God works out His predetermined plans. It doesn’t change God’s mind but aligns us with His will. As we pray, God, who is sovereign over all things, accomplishes His purposes through our prayers. Therefore, we must pray with faith, determination, and persistence, always seeking to align our prayers with God’s will as revealed in Scripture.
This devotional was inspired by an episode of the Straight Truth Podcast. You can listen to the episode at this link: https://straighttruth.net/do-my-prayers-change-gods-mind/
About this Plan
Some Christians wonder if our petitions and prayers change the mind of God. This devotional explains the power and the art of prayer in light of God’s omniscience and sovereignty. It teaches believers how to use prayer as an instrument to improve their lives and to advance the Gospel. Prayer is a powerful weapon that can bring God’s Kingdom into every human circumstance.
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