Why Intercessory Prayer, if God Already Loves Us?

Why Intercessory Prayer, if God Already Loves Us?

What is the function of intercessory prayer, really?  I could understand intercessory prayer much better when I used to believe Jesus was shielding me from God.

  I used to pray for others in Jesus’ name so that He would plead on our behalf to God any of our requests.  Now that doesn’t fit into my new paradigm that God is not judging and would never choose to inflict harm on me.

Why should I pray for someone to be healed from let’s say cancer if God already wants their good, much more than I ever even could?  Some have said that when I pray for someone to be healed and they’re not healed it’s just God’s will.  I don’t buy that it would be “God’s will” for them to not be healed because I don’t think it’s in God’s character to ever plan for the emotional and physical anguish associated.  If it is in His control to reduce harm and pain, why wouldn’t He?  Especially if the person needing healing and the person praying are Christians and it’s not their rejection of Him that’s creating a barrier from His healing and protection.  I’ve also had people tell me that prayer is for me and to strengthen my connection to Him and not necessarily for God.  Well, if I pray for God to heal someone and He doesn’t, how would that in any way strengthen my relationship with God?  How could I have faith in a God that might reject my request for something that is in accordance with His plans for us according to the Bible (i.e. healing, employment, housing, transportation, healthy foods, peace, joy, etc)?  

I have been praying for some of these things and so far His answer has been “no” or “not right now” to most of them.  I can understand not receiving them if I’m not doing my part, but I feel like I’ve done all I can do and some of these things are out of my control completely.

Warm Regards, T


Thanks for your encouragement and positive feedback. Your response is exactly what we are trying to do, get people to think and reason for themselves so each person can come to know God for themselves!

So, what is the purpose of intercessory prayer, and prayer in general. First lets define prayer – what is it? As I understand prayer, it is simply conversation with God as with a friend. When Adam and Eve were talking with God face to face in the cool of the day, that was prayer. When we walk with Jesus by the sea of glass, that will be prayer. When David was angry and expressed this to God asking God to kill all his enemies, that was prayer. Prayer is open and honest communication from the heart to God.

What is the purpose of communication with God if God already knows all our thoughts before we even think them? Are we informing God of something He doesn’t already know? Then what’s the point? Relationship and development! Does a parent, sometimes, already know what a child is going to say before the child says it? Is there any benefit in the child speaking their thoughts to the parent? What is the benefit? Relationship and development! The child experiences the parent listening, caring, concerned, gains knowledge of a parent who cares, and loves them. This brings security and peace. And the child also develops the ability to think, communicate, comprehend, understand, be open, honest, overcome fear/insecurity etc.

If a child asks a parent for something the child is convinced is good for them, but the parent knows they are not ready to handle and will only injure, what does a loving parent do? Does the requests of the child work to create love and interest in the heart of the parent for the child? Of course not, but the child grows closer to the parent through the experience and learns more of the parents values and character.

We are in darkness. We are constantly working to know God more fully. Prayer is a process of coming into connection with the divine, of opening our hearts and minds to the movement of the Holy Spirit, “listening” to what God has to tell us. In so doing we are learning of Him.

When I was in residency one of my colleague’s mother was dying of breast cancer. My colleague prayed for her mother’s healing, but her mother died. Later she told me initially this was hard for her to understand, until she realized that God was more merciful toward her mother than she was. She said God allowed her mother to pass beyond temptation, pain, and disease and her mother would never have to suffer again. She said she realized her mother’s healing was an eternal healing, not a mere temporal one. Some might call this rationalization, I believe it strikes a point – God looks beyond our comprehension to realities we are unaware of and takes all of these multiplicities into consideration when answering our prayers always acting in our best interest.

God never wants any of His children to suffer, you are absolutely right about this. Then why does He not heal everyone or deliver us from every difficulty we face? Because God’s focus, while concerned with every little thing in our lives even the number of hairs on our heads, is ultimately focused on our eternal healing, and not just ours, but everyone else’s as well.

Once one of us has come back into a saving relationship with Him He seeks to develop our characters more fully to be like His and also use us to reach others. Sometimes, and I emphasize sometimes, when Satan attacks one of God’s children God does not prevent the attack (Job, Stephen etc.) but God supplies grace for them to handle the attack. Why this approach?

First, because God is love and love requires freedom. If God were to use His power to stop the exercise of individual freedom and the consequences to such, then we would all live in a make believe world with pretended freedom. And secondly, as evidence to those who don’t know God, to bring them to God.

I had a patient who died of esophageal cancer. During his final months we had many conversations. He initially struggled wondering why God didn’t heal him. He was married, had three children, why would God not heal him to be there as a Christian father for his kids? But he trusted God with his life and despite his painful decline remained upbeat, cheerful, caring for others and before his death saw both his brother and sister, who had left the church, rededicated their lives to God. They said they saw a peace in their brother that they didn’t have from all the pleasures of the world. My patient told me that if it took him going through this experience to reach his brother and sister for eternity he was glad to do it.

I don’t believe God brought cancer on my patient. I do believe God had the power to heal the cancer. But I also believe God knows our hearts (my patient’s heart wanted his brother and sister in heaven) and even more God knows the future impact of how events turn out. Therefore, when we trust Him He can use what appear to be harmful to bring about good – eternal good.

But there is another aspect for the purpose of prayer, particularly here on earth now, and that has to do with the Great Controversy. God was accused of being a power monger. His character and reputation were misrepresented, and are still being misrepresented today. Only God knows our inmost thoughts, ideas and the future. Only God knows what we are going to think before we think it. Angels and humans have to wait and see what a person says or does before we can know what is in the heart.

If God were to simply act on our thoughts, before we think them, several problems. First it doesn’t give us the opportunity for growth, in character, in wisdom, in trust and knowledge and love of God. It is by leaving us the opportunity to wrestle with problems that we grow and when we wrestle with God at our side we grow in love with Him.

But further, by praying and communicating with God we refute Satan’s allegations that God abuses His power and reveal that God is acting in accord with the requests of His children and not simply pushing His way upon others. Thus Satan’s lies are exposed as false.

What intercessory prayer is not: it is not the process of persuading an unloving god to be a loving one, a disinterested god to be interested, an uncompassionate deity to be compassionate.

If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Romans 8:31-34.

Why do we pray? Because we love our heavenly Father and ultimately really enjoy spending time with Him!

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Testimony 10

I personally download and listen to each of Come And Reason Ministries Bible study class lessons and PDF study notes to use when teaching my class. Really appreciate the class especially when Dr. Jennings is teaching. Thank God there are persons like him doing His work and traveling to share His beliefs.

B. L.M., North Plains, OR, USA

 

Testimony 54

I had a lot of pressure, as a pastor’s kid, to conform and be “good.” I was good at being “good.” I thought my life was going along well until it all started falling apart and I could not figure out why! In my search for “why is this happening to me, God?” I came across your book, “Could it be this Simple,” and God started revealing to me the many distortions I held about His character, His principles, and how He has designed His universe to operate. I remember thinking, “Wow, I have had this all backwards.” I was happy and angry all at the same time. Happy to have the light of truth break through the darkness, revealing a wonderful, beautiful way of understanding God and His plan for His children, and angry, because I felt deceived and cheated by the church, my family, and myself!

My heart thrills when I listen to your bible study lessons. Literally I have gone from death to life. It is a journey I look forward to every day, as God reveals areas this distortion affects. Praise GOD! I will ever be grateful to God for this ministry and your cooperation with the Spirit!

Karen S., Portal, AZ, USA

 

Testimony 57

You have helped make sense of thirty two years of confusion. The material you freely provide reorganized so much of my life into such a beautiful pattern that has always been hinted at from within, but misguided with my training and what I was experiencing externally. My filipno parents, who were converted from Catholicism to SDA, were sincere and did their best to raise me the right way and I have deep respect for them. However, being immigrants and not understanding the language made for a difficult transition as I was growing up, which also applied to my spiritual growth as I learned the patterns of religion. I have been listening to as many bible study classes and reading blog posts as my time in a work truck will allow, searching for the practical applications of where spirituality and reality meet, and I thank you for helping me find that. You have helped me reach a point in which I can truly say that I love God, that I believe He loves me, and, like David, I delight in His law. God bless.

Emmanuel V., Calgary, AB Canada

Testimony 69

After reading your book, ‘Could It Be This Simple,’ someone was explaining Christianity in a way that made sense to me for the first time in my life. One morning, I simply prayed “I’m sorry and I love you.” As soon as I silently said that, I could literally feel God’s presence and light flood down on me from above and fill me up with love and joy. I sat there crying my eyes out, because I was so overpowered with this feeling of love and joy. It was just so incredible. I hope that more people can read this book and get a blessing from it. It’s really amazing.

Rachael H.

Testimony 50

After coming into contact with Come And Reason Ministries, I can finally say that many of my unanswered questions have fallen into place. I discovered that my view of God’s Law was “imposed laws and rules” with “imposed punishments” and that this was the major culprit of my many unanswered questions. Thanks be to God for using you and those around you to help us who have struggled with this “infection” of thought. I have now rejected the “imposed law” concept to fully embrace “Design Law”… to look thru “Design Law,” instead of “imposed law,” is a relief.

Viliami L., Australia

 

Testimony 33

I was invited over a friend’s house to see the “God and Your Brain” seminar today. I became [a christian] 36 years ago at the age of 19, but have struggled with the concept of God taking His ‘pound of flesh’ out on His Son to be appeased. Wow. Your seminar has been an incredible revelation and breath of reason and fresh air! I have your book, “The God Shaped Brain,” and it is SO eye opening. Finally, after 36 years enlightenment has come! Praise the Good Lord! What can I say, but that the Real Gospel is truly “Good News!” Thank you for your efforts in giving the Gospel a clear sound!

Paul C.,  Springfield, MA, USA

 

Testimony 37

Hearing Dr. Jennings’ presentations in person came at a pivotal moment in my spiritual journey that began about nine months ago, when the fault lines inherent in my belief system began to crack under questions that most reasonable people end up asking about God and His nature. These were questions I couldn’t find answers to, and they shook my faith. I was unable let it go any longer and be satisfied. My Christian experience became distant. I was afraid; the fear in me rose like thorns, pushing me away from Jesus. And then someone heard my questions and introduced me to this ministry, and my life has totally changed.

I can tell you that this new, “present truth” message is far grander and life-changing than when I shifted from being an agnostic and then a nominal Christian. It has radically altered my worldview, because it reveals a God that makes sense. It is a revolution. I believe that Dr. Jennings’ message is the final message that must go to the world. If any message could be called “righteousness by faith,” as abused as that term is by the right and the left, this is that message, because Jennings’ biblical message identifies a God who is different, whose character isn’t an impossible contradiction.

I walk this path now without fear. I see people differently, and the Holy Spirit burns in my heart. Many call Dr. Jennings’ message false and compromising, but it isn’t false, because I’ve seen the fruits within my mind and body. It is not compromising, because in this message is the only road to holiness that makes any sense. No longer do I behold a pagan god who is always angry and suspicious. Instead, I behold a God who is freeing and loving, always working for our good, and giving me every reason to love my enemy even to my own death, just as Jesus pleads with us. God is good.

Anthony L., CA, USA

 

Testimony 19

I truly believe that to know who God really is the first step to understand ourselves in a balanced and kind way, so the healing can take place. Your approach really makes sense – Thank you for your ministry!

A.M., Pittsburg, PA, USA

Testimony 62

I would like to express my thanks to the C&R team for creating a platform from which people can learn to trust in God and grow. My life is a witness to the effectiveness of this ministry. Without believing the truth about God as you have shown, I don’t know what my life would be like. I had given up on God helping me with certain sins – it was all useless. Given that the scripture is clear and God is so good, how could I have betrayed him so many times? I was a yo-yo christian; spinning up and down. My faith and enthusiasm was driven by discoveries/threats that prophecy is about to be fulfilled. But when I watched your “Healing the Mind” seminar, it was like a light finally went on. I could see God had no plan to hurt me, the danger came from sin, and that He is working to protect me and strengthen me. Thank you for allowing God to use you. The message God gave C&R saved my life!

Antony N. – Hobart, Australia

 

Testimony 43

Two years ago I stumbled upon your book, “Could It Be This Simple,” and then found “The God-Shaped Brain” videos on YouTube, your bible study class, and the ‘Come And Reason’ mobile app. I shared your book with a friend and after nine months of showing love, patience, and kindness this person has been changed by the love of God, too. The same love that healed me, I now express to other women in tangible ways, such as to a Baptist woman with high anxiety and childhood trauma. She was extremely happy and relieved when I shared about the so-called “judgment of God” and burning in hell. She had no desire to serve a God that was so harsh. I have repeated the phrase dozens of times to her. “What we believe has power over us, but we have power over what we believe…”

This message that you are sharing has changed my life. I will continue to serve other women and bring this message of God’s healing love to their lives by sharing your books, YouTube videos, and The Remedy Bible app. Keep up the good work. Don’t be discouraged. God is doing a mighty work in and through this ministry!

Jill L., Midwest, USA

 

Testimony 36

Thank you and may God continue to bless you as you share with others the intricacies of how we are all “fearfully and wonderfully made”. I must share that you have opened a whole new world to me, and I have found tremendous healing through what you have shared in two of your books, “Could It Be This Simple?” and “The God Shaped Brain.” I praise God for what you shared, what I have learned, and how I have grown and healed! My prayer is that My Precious Jesus will be seen by others in the way I live, act, talk, etc. and they may be encouraged to know He is truly a GREAT God of LOVE, desiring that no one should perish! God Bless you in your continued endeavors to present Him as He really is!

Joleen H. GA, USA

 

Testimony 22

I have found your Bible study class lectures to be very inspiring and useful as I prepare to teach class every other week. I subscribe to the podcast and download your notes on the weeks I teach. The audio and notes are such a great help in preparing. My own understanding of God’s character has grown as I teach the class. Commendations on the thought-provoking and well-prepared material Come and Reason provides. Personally, I get excited by the tie you make between the spiritual and mental/physical domains.

A.A. Corrales, NM, USA

 

Testimony 38

Since November 2015, when I started studying Gods word from this God Is Love point of view, my life has been transformed. My troubled marriage of 15 years has been healed and my husband and I are truly happy for the first time in 15 years. Now When I read the word of God I understand it so much better and I can’t help but see Gods love radiating through the pages to humanity. Gods word is living and active and I am blessed beyond measure to be having this amazing experience. God has given me a beautiful understanding of Jn 3:16 that amazes me more and more each day. Thank you again for your ministry.

Helen D., London, England

 

Testimony 14

We really appreciate your views on the judgment and they make good sense considering our free choice.

Anonymous

 

Testimony 53

I was so blessed by a friend who gave me your book, “The God Shaped Brain,” while I was sitting in church asking God to please help me learn more about Him and help me not to be so confused and scared. That was about 2 years ago. Your books have helped me to love God even more. I’m not confused or scared anymore! I have listened to all of your bible study classes and feel like I know the wonderful people that attend every week. Thank you for all that you’re doing in spreading the true message about God and His law of love. God bless you and your whole class.

Elssy P., Modesto, CA, USA