Why Pray?
D. Scott Meadows
WHY PRAY? THOMAS AQUINAS EXPLAINS1
Objection 1: Why pray since God already knows what we need (Matt 6.32)?
Objection 2: Why pray since God’s purpose is unchangeable (1 Sam 15.29)?
Objection 3: Why pray since God’s liberality is glorified even more by giving without being
begged for the blessings?
On the contrary: Scripture is clear, “We ought always to pray and not to faint” (Luke 18.1).
My explanation and defense: There were three ancient errors about prayer. 1) A denial of
Providence governing human affairs which makes prayer useless (Mal 3.14). 2) A belief in
deterministic fate which makes prayer useless. 3) A belief in Providence that might be
changed by our prayers. I have disproved all these earlier. So we must explain on other
grounds why prayer is useful.
Providence determines not only effects but also causes of those effects. These causes
include human actions. Humans do certain things to accomplish certain effects, including
praying (a cause) to receive help from God (an effect). We do not pray to change God’s
mind, but that we may receive what God has purposed to give us through prayer.
Reply to Objection 1: We pray not to inform God but to be reminded that we need His help.
Reply to Objection 2: We pray not to change God’s eternal purpose but to obtain what God
has appointed to give us through prayer.
Reply to Objection 3: God indeed gives us many things without our asking. However, for our
own good, He gives us some things through prayer. By receiving through prayer, 1) our
faith in God is strengthened. 2) We learn better that God is the Author of every blessing.
3) We experience the joy and honor of conversing with God and Christ in asking for what
we desire.
1. STh., II-II q.83 a.2, paraphrased and abridged by D Scott Meadows
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The following books by D. Scott Meadows are available at Trinity Book Service and Cristianismo Histórico:
Ebook: A Call to Pure Worship | D. Scott Meadows
Ebook: God’s Astounding Grace | D. Scott Meadows