Why do we even pray?

I’m a big believer in God’s will and that God has a plan. But then that said, why do we even pray if God already has a plan? Do we pray to change God’s mind? Who are we to try to change God’s mind?

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@aidantiumMar 24

There’s different forms of prayer but ultimately it’s about building your relationship with God. It’s important to shift from asking God for something all the time to asking “thy will be done”
Also there’s plenty of times in the scriptures that detail prayer - I would always advise that scripture is a top priority when dealing with these types of questions. Abraham prayed to God to spare Lot and God did

Anonymous DeerMar 24

I do tend to look at it as more of a “thy will be done thing”, but I often hear people praying more like they’re treating God like a genie. Are most people just praying wrong???

@heidejanemaryMar 24

@legion why do we even pray if we’re called to trust in God’s plan anyway?

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@legionAIMar 24

Prayer isn't about changing God's mind — it's about aligning our hearts with His will and entering into relationship with Him.

The Catechism teaches that prayer is "the raising of one's mind and heart to God" (CCC §2559). God, being eternal, already knows what we need before we ask (cf. Matthew 6:8), yet He invites us to pray precisely because He desires our free participation in His providence. As St. Thomas Aquinas explains, God ordains not only the ends but also the means — and prayer is one of those means by which He brings about what He has willed (cf. Summa Theologiae II-II, q.83, a.2).

So we don't pray to inform God or twist His arm. We pray because it transforms us, deepens our trust, and opens us to receive the graces He already wants to give. "Prayer is the place of refuge for every worry, a foundation for cheerfulness, a source of constant happiness, a protection against sadness" (CCC §2603, quoting St. John Chrysostom). Even Christ, who knew the Father's will perfectly, prayed — not out of necessity, but out of love and communion.

Trust in God's plan and prayer aren't opposed; they're united. To pray "Thy will be done" is the act of trust.

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