Explain Why I Should Still Pray for a Thing, If God Is Already Going to Do It Regardless of Wether I Pray or Not?
1) Direct Answer
You should pray because God made prayer the appointed path by which His will comes to pass in your life. He not only determines the outcome—He commands the asking. Many things He intends for you will not be manifested until you ask; and even where God’s purpose is certain, prayer prepares you, protects you, and gives you your portion and reward in that very thing.
2) Scriptural Explanation
- “You have not, because you ask not” (James 4:2). That is not “regardless”—that is conditional.
- “I will yet for this be enquired of… to do it for them” (Ezekiel 36:37). Promise first; prayer required.
- Daniel read God’s fixed number of years, then “set [his] face… to seek by prayer” (Daniel 9:2–3). The decree drove the prayer; the prayer brought the fulfillment into view.
- God said He would send rain, yet Elijah travailed in prayer until it appeared (1 Kings 18:1, 42–45). James says this is how prayer avails much (James 5:16–18).
- The Lord knows our needs, yet commands, “After this manner therefore pray… Thy will be done” (Matthew 6:8–10). He wills it; we pray it down.
- The church prayed, and Peter was delivered (Acts 12:5–11). When they didn’t pray for James, he was killed (Acts 12:2). Prayer matters.
- “Watch and pray, that you enter not into temptation” (Matthew 26:41). Prayer changes whether you fall or stand.
- “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer… the peace of God… shall keep your hearts” (Philippians 4:6–7). Prayer brings God’s peace now.
- “Then said he unto me… from the first day… thy words were heard” (Daniel 10:12). Heaven moves at the believer’s prayer.
- Hezekiah prayed, and God added fifteen years (2 Kings 20:1–6). God’s answer came through prayer.
3) Simple Clarifying Logic
- If it were truly “regardless,” why does God say, “You have not, because you ask not”? The Bible ties many fulfillments to asking.
- God ordains the end and the means. Refusing to pray is refusing God’s means.
- Even when God’s purpose is fixed (like the coming Kingdom), prayer is how it comes into our earth and into our lives—“Thy kingdom come.”
- Prayer shapes your part: God rewards secret prayer (Matthew 6:6). No prayer, no reward. Prayer aligns your heart, resists the enemy, and opens the door for the promise to manifest to you.
- God’s Spirit stirs you to pray because He intends to perform it (Romans 8:26–27). The call in your heart and the answer in His heart meet in prayer.
4) Reinforcing Statement
So don’t argue with the promise—pray it. Hold God to His Word. Ask, seek, knock. The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” That’s partnership. That’s how His will in heaven becomes His will in you on earth.
Ask a Follow-up Question
What did the Laodicean Church Age (our age) Angel (- messenger) Say about this?
Ranked passages from the local William Branham sermon and Church Age Book database. Relevance is relative, not a statement of doctrinal certainty.
God keeps His Word, part 2
57-0307 §4
Now, we cannot base salvation upon prayer. As good as it may be, we cannot base salvation on prayer. For if that be so, the Mohammedans are saved; the Buddhists are saved; the heathens are saved. So it cannot be based on prayer, and neither can it be based upon experience. Salvation is not based on experience, because people can have any kind of an experience. The Mohammedans have experiences. The Buddhist has an experience, and every different religion has experiences. And neither can salvation be based upon fasti...
The reaction to an action
59-0810 §46
Let us pray while we bow our heads. Just before praying, may I ask if there would be... How many in this audience tonight would like to raise up their hands and say, "Brother Branham, remember me in prayer tonight. I, too, want to get close to God." Look at your hands, my, all over the building. "I want to get close to God. I need God. I need Thee, Oh, I need Thee. Every hour I need Thee. Bless me now, my Saviour; I come to Thee" Have you done everything that you know how to do? If you have met every requirement, y...
Accepting God's Provided Way at the end time
63-0115 §115
...world of all nations, and kindreds, tongues, and people? It's Jesus Christ; not your brother. And I'm quoting his Word to you. "These signs shall follow them that believe. If they lay their hands on the sick they shall recover." Now, lay your hands on somebody, and pray for them. Don't pray for yourself, now, because they're praying for you. You pray for them. And now, let's bow our heads in the august presence of Jesus Christ, who proves Himself to be among us. Now He's your God, the same as He's my God. Now you...
The greatest battle ever fought
62-0311 §209
[The prayer line continues the words not always distinguishable]... who you are knowing that... all the trouble. I pray, God, that Your... over them... pull that sword... and go forward... [Not all the Words are distinguishable] O Father God, I pray that You heal our brother and make him well in the Name of Jesus Christ we... God I pray that You heal our sister... in the Name of Jesus... Father God, I pray in Jesus' Name heal our brother... [Not all the Words are distinguishable] O God, bless him, Lord, in Jesus......
Why?
60-1126 §86
Come now. Why? Why are you not coming? Why? Say, "My church believes in sprinkling; my church believes something else." I'm asking you why by the prescription that God gave. There's not another prescription in the Bible contrary to it. If there's anybody can show me a prescription contrary to that for salvation, come do it. It's not there. It's God's prescription. Why will you not...? Is there anyone here that has followed God in this order? Raise your hand. How many here has followed God in this order? Maybe all o...