To answer this, we must first understand that God is righteous and just, and His will is paramount. While believers may receive their hearts’ desires, it is essential to remember that God will not allow anything that contradicts His divine plan.

In the Bible, God is depicted as sovereign, orchestrating the end of all things. Yet, He has ordained prayer as a vital means for achieving His providential purposes. This perspective is crucial in understanding why prayer is important.

Getting back to the topic, the Bible verse from which this question arises is the following;

Psalm 115:3 (NKJV)

But our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases.

If God will do all He pleases what benefit is there in asking God for things we desire? This type of reasoning misunderstands the true nature of prayer.

We should ask ourselves why do we eat every day before questioning the purpose of prayer. Just as food is essential for physical life, prayer is vital for spiritual life and intimacy with God.

It’s through prayer that we experience life as God intended, in constant communion with Him. Prayer is also important because Jesus Himself prayed to commune with the Father. He explicitly taught that the essential focus of prayer was to be in accordance with God’s will.

Matthew 6:9-10 (NKJV)

In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.

Moreover, prayer is a means of getting our hearts in line with God, not the other way around. In a world full of challenges, adopting God’s perspective through prayer transforms our own.

CS Lewis, a famous Christian author, said it well: “I pray because I can’t help myself. I pray because I’m helpless. I pray because the need flows out of me all the time – waking and sleeping. It doesn’t change God – it changes me.”

This quote underscores how prayer enhances our awareness of God’s work in our lives, helping us to grow in gratitude and understanding.

Are our prayers capable of altering God’s sovereign plan? No. However, we also understand that God uses the prayers of His people as part of His sovereign will. Prayer is not about changing God’s mind; it’s about God involving us in His divine purposes.

Therefore, we are encouraged to pray. It is through prayer, that we participate in God’s work, grow in our relationship with Him, and find guidance and comfort. Prayer is an essential practice for every believer, vital for spiritual growth and understanding God’s will in our lives.