Do our prayers affect what God does?

Pastor Mike’s Answer (edited)

Yes. Scripture presents prayer as a real means through which God acts, not merely as an exercise that changes our attitude. We should think about prayer in the way God describes it rather than allowing speculation about sovereignty to empty the biblical commands of their meaning.

James 5 points to Elijah, who prayed fervently that it would not rain and later prayed for rain. The passage explicitly connects his prayers with the resulting drought and rainfall, then says that the prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

Jesus likewise tells us to ask, seek, and knock with the expectation that God responds. “Prayer changes things” is therefore a biblical way to speak, even though God eternally knows and governs the outcome.

God’s sovereignty must not be used in an unbiblical way. Just as election does not excuse a Christian from evangelizing, sovereignty does not excuse prayerlessness. Pray fervently, expect God to act, and leave the hidden relationship between his eternal decree and our prayers to him.