Questions About Prayer
- Why is prayer so universal? It is in every culture and religion.
- Is God really listening? Why should God care about puny little me?
- Is prayer a duty or a privilege?
- Why do some prayers go unanswered?
- Is prayer best understood from God’s perspective from above, or from our selfish myopic personal perspective?
- What was prayer to Adam and Eve before the original sin?
- In Luke 18:9-14, who presented his “real self” to God while praying, the Pharisee or the tax collector?
- If I’m obedient, do good works, and are a good person; shouldn’t I expect my prayers to be answered?
- Is the main purpose of prayer to make my life easier, and give me magical powers?
- Why praise God who certainly doesn’t need it? Why inform God who already knows everything? Why thank God who certainly doesn’t need a pat on the back?
- Since prayer is communicating with God, why don’t we hear God’s audible voice?
- Does prayer really matter? Does it really make a difference?
- Why doesn’t God just do stuff like right all wrongs, heal all the sick, and convert the lost? Why do we need to pray for that stuff if God should do it anyway?
- Does prayer actually change God? I thought the Scriptures say that God is unchanging.
- Why is persistence in prayer so important? Why can’t I just tell Him once?
- What about prayer and physical healing?
- Can we define what or how or when God must answer prayer?
- If we are “still” or silent, expecting God to answer, will God answer through the Holy Spirit within us?
- Why do I need to confess sins regularly, or ask God to reveal them to me?
- What is the greater tragedy—unanswered prayer or unoffered prayer?
- What does it mean to “pray in the Spirit” (see 1 Corinthians 14:15, Ephesians 6:18)
