Theology

Does Prayer Change God’s Mind?

by Dale Partridge

The great theologian Oswald Chambers once wrote, “There is nothing to be valued more highly than to have people praying for us; God links up His power in answer to their prayers.” How exactly does God link up His power to our prayers? In other words, if God is sovereign, how can man’s prayers influence His decisions? When we pray do we change God’s mind?

This question may seem too deep for the average Christian but in reality, it is an important discussion? Where is the intersection of our requests and God’s will? But more importantly, based on the answer to this question, how should it change our prayer life? Pastor Dale Partridge answers this question in this episode of Real Christianity.

This Episode’s Question

“I have recently come to understand a more biblical view of the sovereignty of God. I also know that man cannot change or influence God’s will. Isaiah 14:27 says, “For the LORD of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, and who will turn it back? Proverbs 19:21 says, “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.” If we cannot change God’s mind or will what’s the purpose of prayer?”

Alister in Oxford, England

Additional Resources

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Scripture References

  • Ephesians 1:11

    “In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His.”

  • 1 John 3:20

    “For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.”

  • Matthew 6:8

    “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.

  • Genesis 4:25-26

    “And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and named him Seth, “For God has appointed another seed for me instead of Abel, whom Cain killed.” 26 And as for Seth, to him also a son was born; and he named him Enosh. Then men began to call on the name of the Lord.”

  • Genesis 3:15

    “And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.”

  • 1 John 5:1

    “Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him.”

  • James 4:2-3

    “You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.”

  • 1 Corinthians 3:5-7

    “What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.”

  • Philippians 4:6

    “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:17

    “Pray without ceasing.”

  • James 5:16

    “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”

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After watching or listening to this episode, what is your opinion? Do you have any questions or comments? Maybe you have something to add to the discussion? If so, let us know in the comments below.

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