r/TrueChristian • u/Best-Friend7982 • 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/CaughtTheirEyes_ 9d ago

Our pastor always says that prayer starts with acknowledging God and His work. So it starts like an act of worship like you said. Then you repent for your sins and afterwards you present your prayer requests. You present them, not because God is a genie in a lamp or because we change God’s way, but because the Bible encourages us to bring our burdens to the cross. It tells us to bring our worries to Him and that He will lift us up in due time(1 Peter 5:7).

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u/Best-Friend7982 8d ago

I really appreciate your response and just want to say so you think we're to ask purely out of obedience?

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u/CaughtTheirEyes_ 8d ago

Aww, thanks. Your post got me thinking actually.

I think we pray out of obedience too, but also because we need to vent. I think God understands that humans have a need to talk. It’s why Jesus encourages us to pray and to be in communion (believers coming together in church). So we also have a community of believers around us to help us on this journey, but He also wants us to have that relationship with Him. A relationship where we feel welcome to share our burdens and leave them with Him. God asks repeatedly to be included in our thoughts and reassures us to remain calm while submitting our requests.

I agree with you saying we don’t change God’s will though, but I do believe He wants us to humble ourselves in front of Him in prayer and to know we need Him before unveiling His will. So, He does answer our prayers to show His greatness to us and others.