Can your prayer change God’s mind? Well, the Bible tells us that God doesn’t change. So, you might wonder, “What’s the point of praying if God has already made up His mind?” If I ask something that is not part of His plan or will, then there’s no use in praying, right?
As you can see, the question, “Does prayer change God’s mind?” is truly interesting and it deserves the right answer. Thus, if you want to know the answer, then stay tuned. Read this blog from start to finish and discover the Bible’s clear message for us today!
(P.S. If you wish to learn more about communicating with God, don’t hesitate to check out our best online course, “Teach Us To Pray.” In this online course, you’ll learn the biblical definition of prayer, how to pray a prayer that God hears, the powerful reasons you should pray and so much more. Click here to learn more!)
The God Who Doesn’t Change
In the journey of faith, the question often arises: Can prayers truly change the mind of God? Well, the answer is partially yes and partially no. Now, I know that’s kind of a confusing answer, but I’m going to explain to you further as we go through this presentation.
For one, we need to ask, “What do you exactly mean by the mind of God?” What does it refer to? Does it refer to how God interacts with human beings or does it refer to His unchanging perfect character?
So, let’s first establish a few biblical truths here. The Bible tells us that God does not change. We read that in Malachi 3:6:
6 “For I am the LORD, I do not change.
In addition to that, we also read in Numbers 23:19 that God cannot lie. Hebrews 13:8 declares that Jesus Christ (properly known as Yahshua the Messiah) is “the same yesterday, today, and forever.” These verses affirm the unchanging nature of God—a steadfast rock upon which we build our faith.
Yet, amidst this divine constancy, we encounter the complexities of human interaction with God. As we delve deeper into the intricacies of prayer, we must consider how God’s unchanging attributes intersect with His response to the prayers of His people.
Our understanding of prayer is shaped by the recognition that God’s character—divine, righteous, holy, just, equitable, and merciful—is fixed and unchangeable. His grand master plan for humanity and the universe is likewise immutable. However, how God chooses to manifest these attributes in response to human actions and prayers is where we find room for contemplation.
The God Who Interacts With Us
God tailors His approach to humanity based on the exercise of human free will. When individuals choose righteousness and obedience, God responds with blessings, favor, and protection. Conversely, when humans choose rebellion and sin, God’s response may include correction, discipline, or judgment. Despite these variations in divine response, God’s actions always remain consistent with His unchanging character.
Consider the concept of divine mercy, which is a cornerstone of God’s character. YHWH, in His infinite mercy, displays compassion and forgiveness to those who repent and turn from their wickedness. Yet, He also demonstrates mercy in ways that may seem incomprehensible to finite minds—such as the divine discipline or judgment upon those who persist in rebellion.
In Scripture, we encounter narratives where it appears that God changes His mind in response to human actions or prayers. Take, for example, the story of Jonah and the city of Nineveh. After the people of Nineveh repented of their wickedness, God relented from bringing destruction upon them (Jonah 3:10).
Similarly, in Exodus 32, Moses intercedes on behalf of the Israelites, and God relents from bringing disaster upon them (Exodus 32:14). We also see the time when Yahweh was willing to change His judgment upon Sodom if He can find at least 10 righteous people in the city. You can read that in Genesis 18:16-32).
However, it’s essential to interpret these passages within the broader theological context. God’s apparent “change of mind” is not indicative of any alteration in His character or plan. Instead, it reflects His responsiveness to the prayers and actions of His people while remaining rooted in His immutable nature.
The god of Infinite Wisdom
So, in conclusion, let’s have a quick overview of the answer to our question, “Does prayer change God’s mind?” No, if it has to do with the unchanging perfect character of God. Yes, if it has to do with how God interacts with imperfect human beings.
With this in mind, we can and should continue praying to God. Yes, His master plan of salvation is already laid out from the foundation of the world, but prayer can truly change our situation. As long as we ask for God’s will to be done in our lives, our prayers will continually help us live the purpose God has given us.
Join our Teach Us to Pray Course
That’s it for me. I hope that this presentation has been helpful. If you wish to learn more about prayer, I highly recommend you check out our course, Teach Us to Pray. In this course, you’ll learn what prayer is straight from the pages of your Bible. This course will guide you in:
- Discovering how we should pray
- How to make our prayer be more effective
- How we can follow the example of Jesus Christ when it comes to praying
So, please go ahead and check our Teach Us to Pray course. I’m sure you’ll love our life-changing course.
About the Author
Joshua Infantado is the founder of the Becoming Christians website and the Becoming Christians Academy, an online course. Since 2013, he has been writing Christian articles, and he launched his own YouTube channel. Joshua is deeply passionate about sharing the Word of God and supporting people in their Christian journey.
