Is prayer asking God to change natural law on behalf of oneself or others?

I’m a little confused about some ideas on prayer such as the admonition to go into a closet to pray and God knows what you need before you pray. If God knows what we need and He has established a natural order of things and is all powerful, wise and loving, do we really need to pray? Isn’t prayer just a request to upset the apple cart?

You ask a very good question.

Going into a closet to pray is the illustration God uses in Scripture because, in Bible times, self-righteous religious folk would sometimes make a spectacle of themselves by praying in public so others might see how "pious" they were. That did not please God.

Then, of course, the Almighty, Infinite God knows all about us; hence, He knows what we need — and not only that, but what we will need at all times and at any given point in our lives.

You inquire, next, about God overriding His own laws. Yes, sometimes God does supersede His own laws. He knows all about everything and, therefore, knows all the ramifications of such interference. We humans cannot possibly know all of those things. And if He does choose to override natural laws which He, Himself, has set in place — commonly called " miracles" — you can be sure He knows exactly what He is doing.

But . . . all of this deals with the OUTSIDE world, circumstances outside of the individual.

So, now I must ask you. Have you ever considered that perhaps prayer is not only about things and “outside” circumstances but is also about what prayer does for, and to, us — deep INSIDE our own hearts?

The Bible states in Romans 8:28 that “All things work together for good to them who are the called according to His purpose.” But the thought doesn’t stop there. Verse 29 continues . . . “that we may be conformed to the image of His Son.”

Wow! Think about that!

God wants us to think like Him! To think like His Son, Jesus. We are told to have “the mind of Christ.” He desires that we become like Him.

Now, please think of your best friend. How did you become friends? By spending time together. How do you get to know your God? The same way. By spending time with Him.

As you spend time with your friend — and, likewise, as you spend time with your God — you get to know the personality of each. You learn how they think.

There are many reasons to pray — and most of them are good. Many of us pray to God in times of trouble. But how many do you suppose pray to Him in the good times — or just to talk with Him? Do you suppose spending time in the presence of the Almighty God might effect a change in a person’s heart? In their outlook on life? Especially if this individual began to thank God for all He has done? Even praise Him? (Do you think this focus might change any one of us for the better? )

This is not just a mental or spiritual exercise. There really is a Person at the other end of our prayers.

Surely, then, we can pray for those things which we need in our lives. God does answer those prayers; sometimes Yes, sometimes No, sometimes Wait.

But maybe — just maybe — prayer is not only about changing “things.” Perhaps it is also — maybe even a whole lot more — about changing us! : )