God is omnipotent, so he knows what the future holds, and he isn't going to change his mind about things simply based on prayer. That would give his love some kind of conditional requirement that those who do not pray will not meet. Additionally, So, given this, prayer does not actually change what happens here on the Earth. God commands that we pray more on the basis of affecting our own decisions, and becoming more intimate with him.

Given that I grew up with the church all around me, and surrounded with Jesus' teachings, I just can't make sense of prayer. People spend so much time praying thinking that it will change God's masterful and omnipotent plan. What are your thoughts?

you pray to have a personal relationship with Jesus, in the end I only pray because I love the man that died on the cross to save my soul from damnation.

I pray to try to make sense of his sacrifice and to praise and love him for it, why would the lord die for a sinner such as me?

this

Yeah, basically this.

So then is the problem with society and modern day religion? People pray all the time thinking it will influence or has influenced God's decision making concerning everything that goes on down here. Doesn't seem to line up. Even Jesus prayed to his father in the garden near his end, knowing that what he prayed would not change any outcome. Yet people use prayer to really ask for things, and are disappointed when it does not work, and joyed when it seems to.

Iso discussion.

HEres the thing bro, if you havent ever spoken in tongues -- its hard to explain this to you... but tongues is when the Holy Spirit prays through you and gibberish starts coming out.
All Chrisitians have this gift, and the gift of tnterpretation -- however in some people its more than others (or rather theyre more graced in it -- im not too sure.)
Its weird, but it does make your praying alot stronger, meaningful, and thoughtful.

second, if youve ever read the book of Acts (i think.) some guy tries to cast a demon out, and hes not really connected with Jesus. So the demon is like 'well bro -- i know Paul, and I know Jesus, but who the heck are you?!"
Do you really think that the demon knew Paul just because he wrote some books? no he knew him and the weight of the gospel he carried because Paul prayed.
Prayer changes you from the inside out -- and when you become a true 'prayer warrior' alot of things start shifting in the spirit realm, trust me...

Lastly -- sometimes i will feel the need to pray for someone , and the next day something willc hange in their life.
Intercession is when you pray for people, and I mean if noone ever prayed for anyone -- noone would be saved, and you pray in the name of Jesus so that He will pray to the Father, because
Jesus is the only way to the Father, its kinda confusing, but its the Gospel haha...

It may seem crazy, but being in a life of prayer and fasting is amazing and rewarding, and nothing is more satisfying than talking to and hearing the Creator of the universe, and
seeing other people's lives changing like mine has.

Thats what i know at least.

--Anthony

this gift of tongues you speak of, do others understand you and do you do it on a regular basis?

Have to agree with you...

I once heard someone who believed she could talk in tongues on command. I must admit she sounded rather asanine, and I had trouble taking her seriously at all.

And to Keasbey, you still have not responded to my question of prayer affecting outcomes of events here on earth