Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. John 14:13

Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. John 14:13

Do you believe it matters whether or not we pray? Doesn't this verse indicate that God will act when we pray? Doesn't this verse indicate that there is a purpose in our praying? Why do we sometimes wonder if prayer makes a difference? Can Prayer Change God's Mind? C. S. Lewis addressed this question in The Efficacy of Prayer.

Can we believe that God ever really modifies His action in response to the suggestions of men? For infinite wisdom does not need telling what is best, and infinite goodness needs no urging to do it. But neither does God need any of those things that are done by finite agents, whether living or inanimate.

He could, if He chose, repair our bodies miraculously without food; or give us food without the aid of farmers, bakers, and butchers, or knowledge without the aid of learned men; or convert the heathen without missionaries. Instead, He allows soils and weather and animals and the muscles, minds, and wills of men to cooperate in the execution of His will.

It is not really stranger, nor less strange, that my prayers should affect the course of events than that my other actions should do so. They have not advised or changed God's mind -- that is, His overall purpose. But that purpose will be realized in different ways according to the actions, including the prayers, of His creatures.

Why should we think that we can influence people by what we say or do and not by what we pray? Why should we think that we can have more influence in the physical world than in the spiritual world? Who is it that really effects the change? Is it us, or is it God? Although we may teach or preach or witness, it is God who is using us to bring about change in the spirit of other people. We are no more able or less able to affect people to change in the physical realm than we are in the spiritual realm.

Isn't it similar to the question Jesus asked, Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up, and walk'? God alone has the power to bring about physical or spiritual change. But soverignly, he allows us to be a part of His plan in bringing about change in peoples lives. We must exercise our God given influence in the physical and spiritual realm.

He said in the next two verses, 'You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. If you love me, you will obey what I command'. Therefore, let us obey and pray, so that the Father will be glorified in the Son.

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