The problem with Calvinists is that they say if it’s going to happen anyway, why bother even praying about it?
The reason why we pray is that we want that result to happen. Prayer can change God’s mind, it can influence God’s work upon our life, otherwise, why would we fast and pray so hard?
James 5:16 “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”
Notice that God can be influenced by prayers. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. So our prayers can get to the point of a person getting healed.
If it’s going to happen anyway, why would the Bible say a prayer of a righteous man availeth much as if some kind of dramatic thing can happen?
James 5:17-18 “Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.”
Notice that Elijah’s prayer influence God to stop the rain and he prayed to God to change it back to giving them rain again.
If it’s going to happen anyway, why would God command His children to pray?
1 Thessalonians 5:17 “Pray without ceasing.”
Calvinists may give pious answers as to why they pray to God such as out of reverence or because they worship Him but here’s something that they cannot overlook is that prayer does change God’s mind.
Numbers 14:11-12 “And the LORD said unto Moses, How long will this people provoke me? and how long will it be ere they believe me, for all the signs which I have shewed among them? I will smite them with the pestilence, and disinherit them, and will make of thee a greater nation and mightier than they.”
Notice the statement that God decreed.
Numbers 14:19-20 “Pardon, I beseech thee, the iniquity of this people according unto the greatness of thy mercy, and as thou hast forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now. And the LORD said, I have pardoned according to thy word:”
Notice that when Moses was praying to the Lord, he changed God’s mind and prevented Him from killing the children of Israel.
Prayer can change the plan of God.
Who says prayer cannot change God’s mind? It says right here that God changed His mind.
Jonah 3:9-10 “Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not? And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.”
Prayer can change God’s plan, prayer can change God’s punishment, it can also change His blessings. The Lord can bless you even more through your prayer.
Matthew 7:11 “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?”
If we would ask and pray to the Lord, God can give us more than what He’s actually blessing us with.
Prayer can change God’s timing of life.
2 Kings 20:1-6 “In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live. Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the LORD, saying, I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore. And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the LORD came to him, saying, Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the LORD. And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David’s sake.”
Notice right here the power of prayer.
If we think that prayer is just worship and it cannot affect God’s working or influence God’s working on our life, how can we call it the power of prayer? Do you know why prayer is so powerful? Because it produces powerful results from a powerful God, it influences a powerful God.