What is the use of praying if God is immutable?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Bahman
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
B

Bahman

Guest
It is a part of Catholic teaching that God sustains creation. God however is immutable which means that he cannot change his course of actions. What is the use of praying then when we know God’s plan for each individual is not going to change?
 
Bahman said:
It is a part of Catholic teaching that God sustains creation. God however is immutable which means that he cannot change his course of actions. What is the use of praying then when we know God’s plan for each individual is not going to change?
Click to expand...
Why wouldn’t praying be a part of that plan?
 
God is immutable (cannot change) and impassible (cannot be affected by anything external).

So trying to talk God into doing something for you is a waste of time. You may get your wish, not because you influenced God, but because you were destined to get it anyway. You will then have the illusion that he answered your prayers.
 
Again, more misunderstandings by thinking of God as simply another temporal being.
 
We don’t pray because it changes God, we pray because it changes us.
 
God knows what will happen He doesn’t predestin what is going to happen. He already knows whether or not you will pray for whatever.
 
What do you think prayer is?

It’s not making demands on God.
 
Bahman said:
It is a part of Catholic teaching that God sustains creation. God however is immutable which means that he cannot change his course of actions. What is the use of praying then when we know God’s plan for each individual is not going to change?
Click to expand...
Maybe Tarrat is right. Maybe not.

How about if we find out what Jesus said about prayer?

Mathew 6:5-15

You’re forgetting to read your bible again.
There’s one online for free.
OR, if you’re serious, you could buy one.

GOD CAN DO WHATEVER HE WANTS TO DO –
There’s no need for us to understand it.

WE’RE NOT GOD.

Sorry if that was loud.

GG
 
GodsGrace154 said:
Maybe Tarrat is right. Maybe not.

How about if we find out what Jesus said about prayer?

Mathew 6:5-15

You’re forgetting to read your bible again.
There’s one online for free.
OR, if you’re serious, you could buy one.

GOD CAN DO WHATEVER HE WANTS TO DO –
There’s no need for us to understand it.

WE’RE NOT GOD.

Sorry if that was loud.

GG
Click to expand...
No only that, but there’s a myriad of translations to choose from. Here’s my preferred version.
biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mathew+6%3A5-15&version=RSVCE
With respect to the OP I hope that answers your question from a Christian standpoint. You may disagree but please know where Christians are coming from when we walk about prayer.
 
Joe_5859 said:
We don’t pray because it changes God, we pray because it changes us.
Click to expand...
This. Prayer helps us conform our will to the will of God. Prayer isn’t inserting requests in some kind of spiritual ATM. That said, God does answer prayer. Some might say Jesus’ prayer in the Garden wasn’t answered, as the cup did not pass from Him. But He conformed himself to the will of the Father.
 
Tarpeian_Rock said:
This. Prayer helps us conform our will to the will of God. Prayer isn’t inserting requests in some kind of spiritual ATM. That said, God does answer prayer. Some might say Jesus’ prayer in the Garden wasn’t answered, as the cup did not pass from Him. But He conformed himself to the will of the Father.
Click to expand...
Quite right. 👍
 
Joe_5859 said:
We don’t pray because it changes God, we pray because it changes us.
Click to expand...
Tarpeian_Rock said:
This. Prayer helps us conform our will to the will of God. Prayer isn’t inserting requests in some kind of spiritual ATM. That said, God does answer prayer. Some might say Jesus’ prayer in the Garden wasn’t answered, as the cup did not pass from Him. But He conformed himself to the will of the Father.
Click to expand...
pianistclare said:
Quite right. 👍
Click to expand...
Right there! 👍 The “use of prayer” is in helping us accept His Will in our lives. It’s also useful for showing thanks to Him, praising Him, talking to Him as a Father and Counselor, etc…
 
Bahman said:
You don’t need to pray to change yourself.
Click to expand...
Maybe you don’t need to. I certainly did. And even if I didn’t need to, it certainly helped. Perhaps you don’t see the use of prayer in that regard. That doesn’t mean it has no use in that regard.
 
TARRAT said:
God knows what will happen He doesn’t predestin what is going to happen. He already knows whether or not you will pray for whatever.
Click to expand...
We have two possibilities here, either we pray or don’t. God knows our decision about praying. Suppose that God answer your praying for a specific case. Now rewind the movie and this time don’t pray. Of course God doesn’t answer you. This however require a change in God’s actions which is impossible because God is immutable.
 
ahs said:
Right there! 👍 The “use of prayer” is in helping us accept His Will in our lives.
Click to expand...
What do you mean by accepting his will in our lives?
ahs said:
It’s also useful for showing thanks to Him, praising Him, talking to Him as a Father and Counselor, etc…
Click to expand...
You cannot affect God because he is impassible so praying to thanks God is useless.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top