The following "Question" was asked by a member of the congregation at Grace Community Church in Panorama City, California, and "Answered" by their pastor, John MacArthur Jr. It was transcribed from the tape, GC 1358, titled "How to Pray." A copy of the tape can be obtained by writing, Word of Grace, P.O. Box 4000, Panorama City, CA 91412 or by dialing toll free 1-800-55-GRACE. Copyright 2001 by John MacArthur Jr., All Rights Reserved.
Question
You [have] said that prayer moves God to act. Would you explain how I can move God to act?
Answer
Well, I'm only responding to Scripture. Just exactly how that works, in other words, how my prayers effect the sovereign God is a mystery. But I do know that the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. I do know, for example, in the Old Testament, that God says, "I am going to wipe out Israel." And then what happened? Moses starts praying, "No, no, God, don't do that, don't do that." And what did God do? God spared them.
In other words, somehow, in some way, the sovereignty of God and the will of man in prayer connect. That's a mystery and I don't know how they do it. I just accept the fact the Scripture says they do. Incidentally, the mysteries are important because they let God be God.
Added to Bible Bulletin Board's "MacArthur’s Questions and
Answers" by:
Tony Capoccia
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