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gnarley said:
What you are saying then is that what is to be, is to be and that our prayers are in effect non sequitur. That even if we obey or disobey God's command to pray, nothing will change. Kay sira sira <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/sigh.gif" alt="" />
Ain't it horrible that the biblical God is immutable and has foreordained all things from eternity for His own glory and secondarily for the benefit and blessing of His elect? <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/giggle.gif" alt="" />

If we obey God's command and our heart's desire to pray then much is accomplished as I mentioned already. God ordains the means as well as the end. And it is through the faithful and fervent prayers of those indwelt with the Spirit that God has chosen to bring to pass much of His will on earth. If one chooses to not pray, assuming this individual is truly regenerated, then he/she will be chastised as any disobedient child and brought into conformity through various means. But that too is part of God's decree, and thus His eternal counsel isn't thwarted by the petty acts of men. However, nonetheless, the failure to pray is the person's own responsibility and is held responsible for it.

But, now let me ask you what it is YOU would have us believe.....?? Are you suggesting that your prayers can change the mind of God about something, anything? Do you believe that God could have planned to do such and such but because you or a group of people pray for something totally opposite, that God having heard these prayers will abandon His original plan and do that which was asked? If not, then tell me what exactly it is you do believe about prayer and how it effects God. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

In His Grace,

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simul iustus et peccator

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