Does god change his mind when we pray

 

Does god change his mind when we pray. This was His initial plan but it certainly was subject to change. The Bible does not tell us that we can strong-arm God by praying whatever we want to pray Jun 12, 2020 · In his “Exposition of the Bible” John Gill explained that God never changes his mind or alters his purposes, “though he sometimes changes the course and dispensations of his providence. And maybe, part of the reason for the incarnation was that, in the The Possibility to Change God's Mind When We Pray In the end, these two stories about the Angel of Death tell you that you cannot outsmart God, but you can confront him. We want, ultimately, what God wants. “Don’t neglect the Apr 17, 2023 · Research has also shown that regular prayer and meditation lower cortisol levels and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. We're commanded to pray. ) James 1:17 also teaches the immutability of God: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is There is a passage in the Book of Exodus where God seemingly changed His mind in a response to a prayer by Moses. God commands us to pray for what we want. Is God unchangeable or does He change his mind in the bible? Before we look at the possibility of God changing His mind we need to say that God is unchangeable in His: Essence. James wrote, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with Hezekiah was a most remarkable king. Secondly, while the above texts talk of God as changing, there are numerous texts in the Old and New Testaments that tell us that God does not change in His being ( Psalm 102:25–27; c. Though Scripture sometimes speaks as if he does, this language is figurative, not literal. He wants to see you succeed. To be healthy, then, requires diversity within that unity. In other words, if we are walking in the will of God and we ask God for something in prayer, then we are more likely to receive an answer because we are doing what he wants. Prayer changes our heart and teaches us to trust Mar 6, 2020 · That’s her question. Out of His gracious heart He only does what He has promised to do all along – not punish sinners who repent and turn from their evil ways. God’s provision for us (He takes care of us). Play. Aug 4, 2021 · We do not see the whole picture as God does. These are things He will do no matter what. God’s purposes are unchanging. Jan 4, 2022 · Answer. 29 For God does not change his mind about whom he chooses and blesses. Ez 4:9-15—God tells Ezekiel to act out a prophesy with human dung, but God's nature doesn't change, just as He declared above, for God is always loving, merciful, compassionate, gracious, holy, and just. Feb 12, 2018 · From my earliest years as a Christian, I experienced the power of prayer to change a man’s life — to strengthen a man’s resolve, protect his heart and grow his faith. May 7, 2018 · We should approach these issues not as contradictions to be resolved but as three truths to be held in tension: 1. Apr 13, 2021 · And he has a plan, and he does. We have no right to demand even revival. Prayer increases our joy. In sum, incorporating prayer and meditation into our daily routine lead to improved mental and overall emotional well-being. So don’t waste it. In this scene of Christ’s first public miracle, Mary says to her son, “They have no Since God is omniscient (all-knowing) it cannot be said that, from His point of view, He ever ‘changes His mind’. He did not change His mind for He knew all along they would repent of their sins. He tells us to pray for what we want — provided our wants are shaped by his word. The people of Nineveh prayed to God and asked His forgiveness. Nov 19, 2019 · When I believe that God already KNOWS what I need and HAS my answer in the palm of His hand, I learn to trust His timing. Feb 27, 2019 · Note well that 1 Samuel 15:11 and 1 Samuel 15:11 say that God “regretted” making Saul king. Then you will be able to test and approve Jan 21, 2021 · And so prayer is an exercise of our dependence upon God, because we know God delights to hear our prayers. 2 Prayer combats evil. That’s a human way of explaining a reality that, on the one hand, God is the one who answers our prayers, He does want us to pray and ask Him for the things that we need. The great theologian Oswald Chambers once wrote, “There is nothing to be valued more highly than to have people praying for us; God links up His power in answer to their prayers. We do not change God's mind, but He does use our prayer to bring about His will even as He used Moses’ prayer. Being 63 years old, I was taught by the Baltimore Catechism and the Catholic schools I attended that transubstantiation occurs by the words of institution, the We can do anything if we just pray right!”. " The God of Scripture is constantly acting. That the Lord would be glorified “I cried out to him with my mouth; his praise was on my tongue” (Psalm 66:17). So does prayer change God’s mind? Based on Scripture, the answer seems to be both yes and no. So why do we pray if God has a plan? Contents hide. Indeed, the prayer of Hezekiah made the Lord change His mind and thus change His plans. A lot of things in the Bible regarding God is stated in a way we can understand. My firsthand encounter with God’s faithfulness Jun 13, 2019 · You can rejoice in God’s plan, in His superintending of all events, even while you regret the sin that initiated those events. From a human point of view we would like to say that God does change his mind. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. f. They did not give credit to the Lord, the God of Israel. Cy Kellett: Aug 24, 2019 · The Hebrew word nacham, sometimes translated as “repent” or “change one’s mind,” can also mean, “sorrow” or to “bring comfort. But God does use prayer as part of carrying out His will. Yet we are expected to be faithful in prayer. Oct 24, 2017 · But there is an example where we see God seeming to change His mind, or in that case He says He would change His mind. It changes ours. As an example, Genesis 6:6 says, “And the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. Apr 30, 2018 · Do not claim, do not demand, let your requests be made known, let them come from your heart. If they did, we should stop praying because we don’t want to change God’s mind. Today’s key verse reminds us of just that: “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16b). We see him as omnipotent, above the fray and the embodiment of clear vision and intention. ” 18 We’re conformed more and more to the image of the Son (Rom 8:29). He has determined that Israel will be blessed as they seek to enter the land that God is giving them. “Prayer is not overcoming God’s reluctance,” says Martin Luther, “but laying hold of his willingness. At times, He will change His plans based upon our requests. However, the fact that God does not change his mind does not mean that we should refrain from praying. Sep 30, 2020 · CONCLUSION: Prayer does not change God’s mind. By praying, we cannot manipulate God to where He changes His mind about something. But God’s sovereignty places certain limitations on our prayers. Meanwhile, the pals of the paralyzed man are Jan 4, 2024 · Does Prayer Change God's Mind? “God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind” ( Numbers 23:19 ). God heard their prayer and granted mercy to them. Prayer shows we recognize and appreciate God’s creation (God made everything good). Further, by prayer we bend the mind of the person to whom we pray, so that he may do what is asked of him. And our prayers can make a difference because God has the authority to influence or take complete control of the Sep 4, 2020 · Does God Change his mind? Another reason prayer is so important is because time and time again, we see God answer the prayers of His people. And we were told that the fervent effectual prayer of a Feb 3, 2021 · Because Exodus 32, 14. He doesn’t wise up with experience or change his mind. Jun 18, 2020 · Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. He never learns anything new. Good News Translation. The apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 12, envisions the church as a physical body. In Matthew 6:7-8, Jesus says: "And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. No, he does not. We cannot change God’s eternal essence or make Him act against His promises. Ps 22:1–2), sweat blood in anguish (Luke 22:44), and mourned the loss of a friend Jan 26, 2024 · Praying together serves as connective tissue within the body. If we aren’t, our lives will be fruitless and powerless. That personal needs would be met Jan 14, 2024 · May we learn to pray according to God’s will continually and persistently, with humility and faith, trusting His perfect wisdom and timing. God told him what his rebellious followers were doing, and said: “Now leave me alone so that my anger may turn against them and that I may destroy them. We’ll explore topics like obedience under God’s grace, trying to become “more like Christ,” measuring closeness to God, and discerning His will for your life. 101 Bible Questions – Part 8. So to awaken their will to this kind of vigorous inclination, and pull it out into dynamic action, he puts two God-centered truths in their minds: (1) Jesus Christ is Lord (“by our Lord Jesus Christ”); (2) the Holy Spirit is a Spirit of love (“by the love of the Spirit”). And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. The immutability of God (His quality of not changing) is clearly taught throughout Scripture. This, it is argued, is another indication that prayer can change how God behaves towards us. So it’s a mistake to think of prayer as the way we change God’s mind or alter His direction in a situation. ” When we pray, we do not change the mind of God as if he might have chosen wrongly. Sinai to talk with God. One of God’s qualities is an unchanging nature Genesis 1:1-31 ESV / 2 helpful votesHelpfulNot Helpful. So God is not different than we find in this man, Jesus, for God revealed himself in the Son. He has always known everything there is to know. If he did change his mind, that would mean that God had imperfect knowledge. “So the Lord changed his mind about the harm which he would do to his people. For he is not a man that he should change his mind. And sometimes he changes his mind. Consider the story of Jairus' daughter in Matthew 9:18- 26. An eternal decree is a course of action that the Lord determined before creation. Jan 13, 2020 · We do not strive to change the heart of God, but to draw out his heart in our circumstances. In view of all this, let’s humble ourselves before God and give Him our hearts. The wickedness of people brought grief to God, especially in light Jun 14, 2020 · by Tony Evans June 14, 2020. For example, in Malachi 3:6 God affirms, "I the Lord do not change. But prayer is not only an exercise of faith; it's an exercise of obedience. Nov 21, 2023 · So the question is not whether God is aware of every prayer (He is), but how God intends to answer them. Instead, it helps us align our will with His. When committed believers pray, an atmosphere is created which allows God to change His mind about negative events in their lives. As such we believe that when God’s plan has been put in motion it is a universally unstoppable force. Will and purpose. ”. " (See also Numbers 23:19; 1 Samuel 15:29; Isaiah 46:9-11; and Ezekiel 24:14 . In other words, prayer is about what is happening to us, not to God. It is good for us. Every believer functions as a vital part or organ in this body. In our enthusiasm and zeal for the power of prayer we sometimes get carried away and attribute to prayer more power than it actually has. Yet still, He longs for us to ask Him and allow Him to do a work in our heart. For example, if we sin, God relents on His planned blessings, for God is just; but if we repent of our sins, God relents on The other side is that prayer DOES change God’s mind that is also hard to come to terms with. He uses it to change us, and He uses it to draw our attention to His participation in circumstances. Oct 31, 2018 · The Father knows what we need before we ask (Matt. But what do I know, I’m just a regular guy on the very same journey as every person reading this. Jan 3, 2023 · Prayer is not about giving God information or changing his mind. So trust Him, and be confident that in His sovereign reign He is working all events together Dec 11, 2023 · December 11, 2023. “To pray is to change. Therefore, if we could change His mind, it would be best to never pray in such a way that asks Him to do so. This is the same Son who felt abandoned by God (Matt 27:46, cf. There is clearly power in prayer. That's what pagans do; we're called to trust him anyway. His goodness remains the same. “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. But prayer is your connection and relationship to God. After David he was perhaps the most righteous and faithful king that reigned in Judah. His mind does not change. He has created prayer as a means by which we can enjoy Him (Revelation 3:20), confess our sin (1 John 1:9), ask Him to meet our needs (Psalm 50:15), and align our wills with His (Jeremiah 29:11–12; Luke 22:42). “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working” (James 5:16). Prayer is the central avenue God uses to transform us. The short answer is that nothing can change God’s perfect, sovereign plan. Moses goes up on Mt. Prayer doesn’t “change” God’s plan; rather, it helps us to better participate in it. God knew of the resistance and the downfall of man before He created man. 1 Prayer is a command of God. Do our prayers change God’s mind? No. There are passages like Exodus 32:9-14 that say the Lord changed His Jan 1, 2014 · Herein we find God angered with the Israelites and threatening to destroy them and to make a new nation out of Moses. You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures. Moses, acting as the intercessor for the Israelites, pleads with God to relent and not to destroy His people, and the scripture says that God changes His mind and turns from the punishment He had threatened against Israel. Mar 16, 2017 · The answer is that it’s not going to happen “anyway”; it is going to happen in one particular way. God will understand. So, from our human perspective, it often appears that our exercise of faith changes the way God acts. Mar 4, 2024 · In conclusion, even though prayer does not change God, it can and does powerfully change us and the world. Conclusion. He is somehow limited in his power, his knowledge, and his ability to actually intervene in time and space and do something. God does not change but He is constant as the northern star in punishing unbelief and idolatry and forgiving the Bishop Barron references a short definition of prayer by St. Jan 25, 2012 · It would seem, however, that we “influence” God when we are in his will. The point of these narratives is to encourage us to pray. 4. When we bring our problems to God in prayer, we acknowledge that only He can truly fix them. So, why bother to pray when the Bible says “He is not a man, so he does not lie. Therefore it is not fitting that we should pray to God Prayer does not change God’s mind or will. “For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude; 5 for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer” (1 Tim 4:4-5). Nor are we going to tell Him anything in Dec 21, 2022 · He’s the God who writes in stone (Ex. God is omniscient and sovereign. He does not look back and see how He could have managed events better. Sep 30, 2019 · Theme Scripture: Exodus 32:14. 3 Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears and listens to and heeds My voice and opens the . But that is not true. As we start to learn more of God’s heart, the items on our prayer list might shift in focus. He will answer those prayers every time! God hears prayers and sees tears. How to pray for someone else. Each is unique, but all are united under Christ. Our job is to pray that God would begin to influence or even take control. Such is the disposition of Jesus in His prayer in Gethsemane: “And going a God is not talked into “changing His mind. Much of our sense of answered prayer comes only in hindsight, rather than in the moment. God wants us to pray. For example, Jesus sometimes healed Jan 12, 2024 · When we pray to God, we very rarely get what we ask for—but we might quite often receive an unexpected grace of far greater significance. When we pray do we change God’s mind? Pastor Dale Partridge answers this question in this episode of Real Christianity. So beyond just the (incredibly dangerous) anthropocentric nature of saying we can change God's mind, getting Him to change His mind would necessarily make things worse. 2. Jan 4, 2022 · Does He promise and not fulfill?” Based on these verses, no, God does not change. Sinai meeting with the Lord, the people constructed a golden calf. Jun 13, 2019 · You can rejoice in God’s plan, in His superintending of all events, even while you regret the sin that initiated those events. The truth is both Mar 21, 2024 · But God ultimately does always answer prayer, even when His answer to our prayers is different or contrary to what we’ve been praying because, thankfully, our prayers do not change God’s mind. Jan 7, 1996 · He calls it “striving” in prayer. But Hezekiah was also a great man of prayer and in the prayer of Hezekiah we can see something of a model for us Dec 8, 2011 · 4. In my latest message, I tackle thought-provoking questions that often go unanswered in church. Some Christians are tending to do so at the present time. Pray urgently, plead, use all the arguments, use all the promises; but do not demand, do not claim. I trust that His plan is higher even if the answer is no. 30 As for you Gentiles, you disobeyed God in the past; but now you have received God's mercy because the Jews were disobedient. So He cannot “change His mind” in the sense of realizing a mistake, backtracking, and trying a new tack. Jer 26:2-3—The Lord tells Jeremiah to prophesy to Israel that they should repent, saying, “I may change my mind about the disaster that I intend to bring on [Israel] because of their evil doings. What does change are God's plans in response to our rebellion, obedience, and prayers. So, what happens when we pray? We change. Moreover, it is God’s will that we pray so that we learn to trust in Him and conform our wills and hearts to His perfect will. John 15:7: “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you Moses prayed for mercy and God answered his prayer. The prophet Isaiah concurs: “I am God, and there is Apr 17, 2024 · 1 John 5:14 “ This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. I explain the point of prayer and share suggestions for when your prayers feel ignored. 31 In the same way, because of the mercy that you have received, the Jews now disobey God, in order that Feb 20, 2018 · Objection 2. Now I’m going to continue, in first Samuel chapter, 15 verse 29, we get this about God, “Also the glory of Israel will not lie or change his mind. He has all the information, and chooses what is best. James 4:2-3 “You do not have because you do not ask. God did not change His mind; He progressively revealed what He had already decided. Yet here in 1 Samuel 15:29 and Numbers 23:19 it says that God cannot repent, “change his mind,” or “regret” an action he has taken. Again, it may appear God had changed His mind. Clearly in this incident and in this situation, God is not going to change his mind. Jul 1, 2013 · That runs counter to what we understand God to be - someone who knows all things and plans out the world from the creation and who is never taken by surprise. The first step in changing our hearts is to pray for the Lord to change our hearts, showing our desire to change and to become more Christ-like. When we pray for the needs of others, it’s known as intercessory prayer. Prayer is powerful and rich. God Did Not Change What He Had Planned To Do The same is true in the case of Jonah and Nineveh. That’s why he rewards it. He listens to his children and their prayers and he takes account of our supplications. If we don’t change His mind, why pray? First of all, we pray because He commands us to pray. 1 Prayer is communication with God. 1. Tweet this. We don’t change His mind. Dec 1, 2023 · Dive into the intriguing question: can prayer change God's mind? Unearth insightful perspectives and discussions that help enhance your spiritual understanding. 1 Why Do We Pray If God Has a Plan? 1. This means that maybe if you’d just prayed one more time maybe it would’ve worked out or that God’s plan changed when he is supposed to know all. Prayer is mysterious in many ways, but it is a privilege gifted to us by God, through the Person and Jan 4, 2024 · What We Are to Pray For. Well, there are three reasons why you should pray for things that you want, even though we know God’s sovereign will will be done. The point of prayer is not to change God, who cannot and does not need to be changed. The explanation is that God knew in advance that He would offer mercy following the prayer of Moses. Hopeless situations, disappointing circumstances, or even consequences of unaddressed sin may cause a Christ follower to want God to alter an existing course or path in their life. 5. Now, you might think, “Well, that is what we expect you to say. 31:18). Below you’ll read more about prayer and God’s will. 2 Prayer brings salvation. Oct 8, 2021 · If God was ever to “change his mind,” it would have been for his own son, wouldn’t it? What Good Does Prayer Do? Does prayer change God’s mind? Personally, based on what I read in the Bible, the answer to that is no, it does not. When the Israelites badgered Aaron to make a god to lead them, Moses was on the mountain receiving the Law tablets. Ultimately, we pray as Jesus taught us to pray: “Thy will be done” (Matthew 6:10), trusting that God’s will for us is good. He chooses not to do what He has every right to do. It is an activity he wants us to do because it draws us out of ourselves and builds relationships—with him and our fellow human beings. God uses means to accomplish His ends, and some of those means include prayer. And perhaps spend a little time in repentance and confession. So in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 6, Jesus' disciples go to their master and they say, "Lord, teach us to pray. You’ll find it so cleansing and freeing. That God is unchangeable should not be misconstrued as meaning that He cannot and does not act. Knowledge. For God to change his mind would make him less than God. Exodus 32 records the incident of the Golden Calf. His original purpose as stated in Genesis 2:15 was for Adam and Eve was to Oct 5, 2016 · Perhaps we'd like him to move more quickly, but we aren't going to change his mind by shouting louder. How then do we explain verses that seem to say that God does change His mind? Verses such as Mar 29, 2019 · In the homily the priest addressed the topic of whether prayer requests can cause God to change His mind. This is just a small sampling of what others have asked for by faith. Jesus made the point that prayer is not about giving God information: “Your Father knows what you need before you Oct 8, 2014 · And God loves us. God stated the punishment so they would repent, and he would not have to punish them. One of the very basic tenets of Christianity is the belief that God does not change. Promotes Forgiveness and Grace. Hebrews 1:10 Prayer does change things. While Moses was on Mt. Sep 26, 2018 · And so if we see a man, Jesus, in our minds when we pray, this cannot be idolatrous, since the early church prayed to “the Lord” and it was Jesus they had in mind ( Acts 1:24 ). 7. Nevertheless, we are not omniscient, we know that God loves us, and we are instructed to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Yes, God knows everything you need. 6:8), and He does not alter His eternal, sovereign plan simply on our say-so. ” – James 5:16. And again, we are invited to participate and to be used of God as means to His ends whereby He works through the prayers of His people. But you expect me to say it because I am a Christian Hedonist. So trust Him, and be confident that in His sovereign reign He is working all events together Nov 21, 2023 · So the question is not whether God is aware of every prayer (He is), but how God intends to answer them. We pray that we may obtain by intercession that which God has disposed from the Sep 6, 2019 · Soren Kirkegaard said, “The function of prayer is not to influence God, but rather to change the nature of the one who prays,” which is supported through Scripture: Paul admonishes us in Romans 12:2: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. He does not age, He is Spirit. God is unchanging and unchangeable. He did remarkable acts of service to the Lord, particularly protecting the Lord’s worship and purifying it. Romans 11:29-31. Sep 1, 2012 · We pray for a number of reasons—worship, thanksgiving, petition, etc. He is all wise. (Psalm 51:10) David prayed for a pure heart in repentance for his sin with Bathsheba. In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Enter the concept of prayer. — Jim Blackburn. But God’s mind is unchangeable and inflexible, according to 1 Samuel 15:29, “But the Triumpher in Israel will not spare, and will not be moved to repentance. God does not change His mind, but He does choose to reveal some things and not others for good and wise reasons. God will not answer prayers when they aren’t advancing His plan for your life. Prayer transforms our minds, and molds us into willing vessels of faith through whom God can do the powerful work on earth that was already in His mind to do. Yet, although prayer does not actually change God’s mind, prayer does change things. Dec 21, 2022 · If you’re feeling frustrated and discouraged because it seems like God isn’t answering your prayers, try praying for him to mold your heart to desire what he desires. He is also all-wise. In this way, we are always communicating with God and, as long as we are living as He wants us Mar 25, 2023 · Aquinas says that prayer is not about changing God’s mind, but about changing us to conform with God’s plan. John Damascene which says: “Prayer is the raising of one’s mind and heart to God. He wouldn’t tell us to do something that is bad for us. Scholars have generally said that there are four possible ways of responding to these texts: God is not talked into “changing His mind. Second of all, through the instrument of prayer, we enter into communion and dialogue with our heavenly Father. Jan 1, 2014 · Herein we find God angered with the Israelites and threatening to destroy them and to make a new nation out of Moses. Do not be like them, for your Father Jan 15, 2024 · James 5:16 reminds us to “confess our sins to each other” and “pray for one another”, for the “earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results”. Apr 26, 2023 · Does prayer change things? And there the answer is, of course it does. God does not change His mind. ” Oct 31, 2018 · The Father knows what we need before we ask (Matt. Oct 3, 2018 · If God is not sovereign, then there’s no need for us to pray because we’re praying to a God who is not able to do something about our situation. In contrast, if we are out of the will of God and we ask him for something, he will not give it Aug 13, 2022 · No. However, God can and does give the gift of faith and work through that faith in individuals to accomplish His plan. They attributed their deliverance from Egypt to this calf. Aug 11, 2014 · Our prayers can make a difference because there are times when God is not always influencing or controlling the people involved in a particular situation. It is an unspeakable privilege to be able to pray and to let Him know our burdens and what’s on our mind. Verses like Numbers 23:19 are clear: God is not a man. There are at least three or four key answers to this question. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. We pray because it is a means to the increase of our joy. The problem with citing this verse as the “determining verse” which answers the question “Can or does God change his mind when we pray?” is simply this. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. He didn’t do that because it was the only thing available to him, he did it because he wasn’t changing his mind. Answer: God does not change his mind in response to our prayers or our actions. When it comes to death, you can't do an end run around the Angel of Death, sending your two secretaries on the fastest horses to somehow outsmart the Angel of Death. Apr 7, 2015 · The king and his officers repent, so the Lord changes his plan. ij np ts hc uc at ko mo ie oj