Prayers

[Suzie]

I was thinking about this earlier today, and was curious to know what are your thoughts:

Example: David loses his job. He prays to God to guide him to find one soon, he prays earnestly every day in order to achieve this (and yes, he also does everything in his power to get one).

Versus

Hundreds or thousands of people praying on David's behalf so he can get a job soon.

Does it make a difference to God whether is one person praying or a thousand on their behalf?

[Dr T]

Hi Suzie,

That is an interesting question. I know the Bible tells us to pray. There are many examples about prayer, we see Jesus praying before going to the cross, see Him praying before meals, he goes away to pray and asking his disciples to pray, etc. We are told to pray without ceasing. I'd say prayer is important. I'm not saying this is the only reason to pray but I personally think prayer is NOT intended to sway God. I do not think our prayers are to convince God to make His decision about this or that thing, in this or that direction either. I think our prayers are more intended for us to change our perspective and be secure with whatever God is doing in his plan for our lives. So "one or 100's of thousands"? Does it make a difference to God? I'm curious how you define "make a difference"? Please let us know what you mean so I can think a little more about this interesting question. Thank you

[Guest LiterateParakeet]

Great question. I remember reading (a long time ago) in a very popular book, Drawing on the Powers of Heaven, that the second scenario i.e. thousands of people praying is more helpful. The author compared it to pushing a car, as I recall, the more people you have pushing the more likely that car is going to move.

However, thinking about your question just now, I disagree. If that were the case, wouldn't it reduce prayer to something of a popularity contest? Whomever has the most friends praying for him/her gets the most blessings? Ick, that idea does not sit well with me.

What if I have a problem I am struggling with that I don't want to share with others (haven't we all been in that position sometimes)? Do we deserve heavenly help in that situation any less than someone who has many friends praying for them?

I think it is more a matter of faith than numbers. Faith is something anyone can work at, anyone can build. But I don't think that is a "contest" either, i.e. whomever has the most faith wins. I think of the widow's mite, if you give all you have, even if your faith is little compared to someone else's, your sacrifice will be accepted.

So why ask people to pray for us or put names on prayer rolls? I think it is because it gives the person praying for someone else an opportunity to "serve". In other words, I think when we pray for someone else, the one who benefits the most is us because doing so helps us increase faith and decrease the selfishness (that humans are prone to) by thinking of someone else.

Thanks for asking this Suzie. Mulling over your question gave me some new ideas I hadn't considered before.

[Suzie]

Does it make a difference to God? I'm curious how you define "make a difference"? Please let us know what you mean so I can think a little more about this interesting question. Thank you

Make a difference to God with regards to the urgency in which he replies and whether or not he will grant what the person is asking for.

[Suzie]

If that were the case, wouldn't it reduce prayer to something of a popularity contest? Whomever has the most friends praying for him/her gets the most blessings? Ick, that idea does not sit well with me.

Yes, that's what I was thinking as well.

[Wingnut]

If David isn't out pounding the pavement and working to find a job, nobody's prayers on his behalf in that area will matter.

[Dr T]

I think this is a great question. I see it being a great question because it is making me think. You bring up a complex issue. Here is how I would answer your question from my perspective. I cannot find anything in scripture that tells us how our prayers and God's sovereignty interact with each other. I think God knows all things and I do not believe He can learn because He is perfect and knows all things from the beginning and the end. Without boring you with everything else that went through my thoughts on this, I will use 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." We also know that God works "all things after the counsel of his will" Ephesians 1:11 so I would say based on these then I think God's divine will trumps. So if there are 100,000 people praying and they are outside of God's will and the 1 person is praying inside God's will then I think that one person's prayer will be much more "influential" than all the other prayers.

[Roseslipper]

I dont think threres a difference if 1 person is praying or many. Its all in Gods hands, His time, His way!! But who knows if 3 or more are praying theres more faith I dont know sorry.

[Palerider]

I would take all the help I could get...the more people praying for me the better....my opinion

[Maureen]

I was thinking about this earlier today, and was curious to know what are your thoughts:

Example: David loses his job. He prays to God to guide him to find one soon, he prays earnestly every day in order to achieve this (and yes, he also does everything in his power to get one).

Versus

Hundreds or thousands of people praying on David's behalf so he can get a job soon.

Does it make a difference to God whether is one person praying or a thousand on their behalf?

I'm not sure it makes that much of a difference to God but I think that there is indeed power in collective prayer.

The Science, Psychology, and Metaphysics of Prayer | Psychology Today

M.

[Jennarator]

I think it can help the person needing the prayers. For me if give me more strength. Maybe it is like aplacebo, but hey, helps me to feel stronger when I know others are praying for me...maybe a little faither booster?!?

I know I feel like it give me a push in the right direction. :)