If God already knows everything and knows what you need before you ask, why pray? Can our prayers actually change events, or are things predetermined?

Fresh from weeks in a high care ward with his father, Pastor Greg tackles these fundamental questions while revealing surprising truths about what happens when we pray. This isn't theory—it's hard-earned wisdom from sitting hour after hour with nothing to do but pray.

Prayer is Breathing For Christians, prayer is everything. If you're not a person of prayer, you're operating on 5-10% of your potential. Prayer shifts the atmosphere, shifts God, but most importantly—prayer shifts you. There's no substitute. It produces results that non-prayer simply can't.

The Persistent Widow (Luke 18:1-8) Jesus tells of a widow repeatedly coming to an unjust judge who doesn't fear God or care about people. Her shameless persistence wins. The judge finally says, "This woman is driving me crazy. I'll give her justice because she's wearing me out with constant requests."

Shameless Persistence (Luke 11:5-8) A man knocks on his friend's door at midnight. Though the friend won't help for friendship's sake, Jesus says he'll respond "because of your shameless persistence." That's how you become one of God's favorites.

The Power of Asking Asking isn't incidental—it's fundamental to human relationships. From a baby crying for milk, there is asking and giving. This shapes the very nature of God. He loves it when we ask.

Keep Asking, Seeking, Knocking (Matthew 7:7) "Keep on asking and you will receive. Keep on seeking and you will find. Keep on knocking and the door will be opened." But prayers that get answered are prayers God wants you to pray with right motive.

Prayer as Relationship Prayer isn't throwing something out there. It's conversation. When you pray, you literally welcome His presence. You make yourself present to God—pitching up in His presence. Prayer is doing business with God.

The Believer's Prayer Template Start with "Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done." Greg shares: "Sitting in high care hour after hour, I found myself praying 'Hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done.' When you submit to God's will, then if you ask, seek, and knock, you receive what He wants you to have."

God Always Answers God always answers—yes, no, or later. He evaluates based on what He's doing in your life. His timing is perfect but not bound to our urgency. He answers when there's a kairos moment for the kingdom's benefit and yours.

The Law of Request The law of request is more foundational than gravity because it affects us more. Asking and giving is fundamental to the universe. When we pray, we enter a working relationship with God

Key Scriptures

• Luke 18:1-8 (Persistent Widow)
• Luke 11:5-8 (Friend at Midnight)
• Matthew 7:7-8 (Ask, Seek, Knock)
• 1 Thessalonians 5:17
• Hebrews 11:6
• The Lord's Prayer

Pastor Greg: "The most important meeting for me in our church is Thursday night prayer. That's where we together find God's heartbeat."

Questions:

• Are you operating on 5-10% because you're not a person of prayer?
• Are you praying with right motives, starting with God's will?
• Have answered prayers grown your faith?

Who This Episode Is For

• Christians wondering why to pray if God already knows
• Believers struggling with consistent prayer
• Anyone discouraged by unanswered prayers
• Those needing to understand prayer as relationship, not duty
• Church members undervaluing corporate prayer