The question, “If God is sovereign, why pray?” is one that has been considered by many. I have also wrestled with such question in my life. This issue is rooted in two theological principles presented in the Bible. First, the concept of divine sovereignty asserts that God is perfect, all-wise, makes no mistakes, and acts entirely according to His will. Furthermore, Scripture indicates that God is aware of prayers even before they are spoken. Thus, leading many to question, “If God knows what I need before I ask, then why do we need to pray?” Second, the Bible instructs believers to pray and, in fact, commands prayer as an important practice. This leads to the inquiry of whether prayer can alter God’s intentions or suggest that something might be lacking in His plan. Conversely, if God’s plan is indeed flawless and complete, it raises questions regarding the need for prayer. Such considerations often lead to confusion, particularly for those earnestly seeking God’s guidance in challenging circumstances.

Dr. Sproul examines James 5:13-18 to discuss the relationship between God’s sovereignty and the Christian practice of prayer, illustrating that both concepts are present in the Bible and offering a reasonable perspective on how they interact. According to Dr. Sproul, while God is sovereign, all-wise, and all-knowing, Scripture also instructs believers to pray. He concludes that prayer encourages trust in God’s character, regardless of how prayers are answered. It addresses questions about why prayer is needed if God is sovereign, as explored in the referenced video. Do you have a reasonable answer to why we should pray, if God is sovereign?