r/TrueChristian 9d ago

Why do you pray outside of gratitude?

Prayer as an act of worship, to glorify God and to thank God for who he is and for what he's done makes sense to me. Prayer requests make less sense. I've been told since Sunday School that God isn't a genie in a lamp but everybody's behaviour suggests otherwise.

I also believe in predetermination. So it's not that I see a problem with prayer, I'm just confused why people think it determines their outcome when God has your life already written so it was never in your power?? Nothing ever surprises God.

edit: thanks for the downvotes :) if you feel that its wrong to ask questions about the bible and to grow in your faith you might need to reevaluate your relationship with God

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u/-TrustJesus- 9d ago edited 9d ago

How will you receive if you don't ask?

James 1:5 Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

Mark 11:24 "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."

John 16:24 "Until now you have not asked for anything in My name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete."

Luke 11:13 "So if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

King Hezekiah prayed for healing and God granted him fifteen more years of life.

The question is, would he have been healed if he didn't pray for healing?

2 Kings 20:3-6 “Please, O LORD, remember how I have walked before You faithfully and with wholehearted devotion; I have done what is good in Your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly. Before Isaiah had left the middle courtyard, the word of the LORD came to him, saying, “Go back and tell Hezekiah the leader of My people that this is what the LORD, the God of your father David, says: ‘I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. I will surely heal you. On the third day from now you will go up to the house of the LORD. I will add fifteen years to your life. And I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city for My sake and for the sake of My servant David.’”

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u/Best-Friend7982 9d ago

I understand, but God knew that Hezekiah would pray for healing, God didn't change his mind- he knew the outcome already

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u/-TrustJesus- 9d ago

Fair point.

What do you make of the rest of the verses?

Why would Jesus teach and instruct His disciples to ask God for things if all outcomes are already decided?

It wouldn't make sense for us to ask for anything if it had no effect.

James 1:5 says we should ask God for wisdom.

Was James wrong in saying this since whether we receive the wisdom or not has already been decided?

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u/Best-Friend7982 8d ago

its just a guess but maybe we're to ask purely out of worship as a way of acknowledging what we know God is capable of but I really don't know