R.C. Sproul

Why should we pray at all?

I get that question all the time.

And of course, the simple answer, the easy answer, which doesn't satisfy too many people, is that God not only ordains the ends of the universe and of human history, but he also ordains the means to those ends.

And just like he sovereignly has a plan of salvation that he is unfolding in history, part of the way in which he works out his plan of redemption is through the preaching of the Word.

It's God who brings the increase to the preaching of the Word, but he uses that means for his end.

And so, therefore, we have a responsibility in light of divine sovereignty and in light of his providence to be engaged in preaching.

Well, the same thing can be said for prayer.

God works in and through the prayers of his people.

And so it's not that the New Testament says, well, God is sovereign, so you can just go back and put up your heels and take a nap and don't be engaged in preaching or in praying or in any activity.

On the contrary, it's because God is sovereign

that we get so excited about the whole role of prayer because in his sovereignty, he has so designed his plan of salvation as to work through the prayers of his people.

And that's why the Bible again and again encourages us, not only encourages us, but commands us to be actively involved in prayer.

Well, then the question comes, well, do you mean then, R.C.

?

that prayer changes God's mind.

I get that question a lot.

Let's look at that.

Does prayer change God's mind?

I say, well, if we ask the question in that manner, obviously to ask that question is to answer it.

And the only answer I can give to it is not simply by saying, no, prayer doesn't change God's mind.