God's Will and Our Prayers: Navigating the Path to Justice and Redemption

Throughout the ages, humanity has sought to understand the complex relationship between human will and God's will. This relationship, often explored through religious texts and personal experiences, raises several profound questions. Among these is the central idea discussed in the title: can we change God's final decision if we persist in praying?

Understanding God's Will and Prayers

God has the ultimate authority to change His own will. When believers pray, God listens, and ultimately decides whether to answer the prayer. This decision is based on His broader purpose and plan. Just as a person who orders chicken instead of steak at a restaurant still gets to choose what they want, we are free to pray, but God retains the autonomy to respond according to His will.

Scriptural Insights

Proverbs, a book of wisdom in the Old Testament, provides valuable insights into this dynamic. For instance, Proverbs 28:9 warns, 'Whoever turns aside his ear from hearing the Torah even his prayer is an abomination.' This verse highlights the importance of listening to and obeying God's word. Similarly, Proverbs 15:8 cautions, 'The heart of the righteous considers how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil.' These verses stress the importance of aligning our actions and intentions with God's will.

The Parable of The Widow and The Judge

One biblical illustration that demonstrates God's willingness to change His mind, especially when His people show genuine repentance, is the parable of the widow and the unjust judge (Luke 18:1-8). In this parable, a persistent widow, who continually pleads for justice, eventually sees her petition granted. This story underscores that while God does not change His nature, He is responsive to genuine repentance and persistent prayer.

Examples of God Changing His Mind

There are other instances in the Bible where God appears to alter His previous decisions, based on the plea and faith of His people. For example, in Acts 12:5-18 (King James Version), God intervenes for Peter's release from prison after intense prayer. In Exodus 32, Moses interceded for the Israelites, and God relented from His anger, deciding to forgive them. Similarly, in the narrative of Daniel 9 and 10, Daniel's fervent prayers for his people result in God's deliverance and preservation.

Consequences of Wrong Actions

However, while God can and does intervene on behalf of His people, He also adheres to the law of reaping what one sows. Proverbs 22:8 states, 'The seed of the righteous will be blessed, but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off.' This means that just as one cannot plant orange seeds and expect to harvest avocados, those who sow cruelty, injustice, misery, suffering, or evil will inevitably face the consequences of their actions.

The Real Lost Tribes of Israel

Furthermore, the Bible mentions the concept of the lost tribes of Israel, who may be among the "real lost tribes" living on the streets, in prisons, or in various forms of suffering. According to Revelation 29:9-10 and 39, God may ignore the prayers of those who neglect the needy and oppressed. This further reinforces the idea that our actions matter in the grand scheme of God's will. For instance, Isaiah 51:20 warns, 'Drink, too, and let the inward man become drunken, even the rebellious, the sword shall devour him, because he did not obey the voice of the Lord, and did not submit to the law.'

Asking questions about God's will and our prayers is essential for spiritual growth and understanding. While we must keep praying and seeking His guidance, it is also important to recognize that our choices and actions play a significant role in determining our fate. By aligning our lives with God's principles and seeking His intervention through genuine repentance and persistent prayer, we can find a path to justice, redemption, and ultimately, peace.