Although we must insist that, because of who we are and who God is, our prayers do not change God’s mind, it is right for us to understand that God has ordained that prayer "changes things." The design of prayer is not that the immutable will of God be altered, but that His will may be accomplished in His own good time and way. Our prayers are not intended to change the purpose of God or to move him to create new purposes. God has not only decreed the end of all things, but He also has decreed the means to reach that end. Thus, it is improper for us to say that, because God is sovereign and is in control of all things, certain things will happen whether we pray or not. That must be absolutely rejected because God has ordained that prayer be the means to accomplish His purpose.
— John Sale, Pastor, Prediger und Autor
Topics: Prayer & Silence, Guidance & God's Will, God, Jesus & the Holy Spirit
Occasions: For Reflection
John Sale
John Sale ist ein US-amerikanischer evangelikaler Pastor und Prediger, der unter anderem die Valley Center Community Church in Kalifornien leitete und als Konferenzredner auftrat. Seine reformiert geprägte Verkündigung stellt die Souveränität Gottes, die Schriftauslegung und die Gnade Christi gegen eine leistungsorientierte Werkgerechtigkeit ins Zentrum. Bibellesern vermitteln seine theozentrischen Impulse prägnante Einsichten über Gottes Vorsehung und das Vertrauen auf sein souveränes Handeln.
When we pray, the circumstances often remain the same, but we become different.
Oswald Chambers
Prayer does not change God, but the one who prays.
Søren Kierkegaard
Courage is fear that has said its prayers.
Corrie ten Boom
To pray is to draw breath from God.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Charles Haddon Spurgeon
Prayer does not equip us for greater works – prayer is the greater work.
Oswald Chambers
God has his ear at your heart.
Augustine of Hippo
Prayers are tools not for doing or getting, but for being and becoming.
Eugene Peterson