"Prayer doesn't change God; prayer changes us." You might have heard this assertion. Years ago, I believed it—but not any more.

True, my prayers don't affect God's character and they don't change his ultimate plan for the world. And in my praying, I should not try to make God see things my way, but rather ask him to help me see things his way.

But it is equally true that prayer actually brings about change in Heaven. It does not change God's character or ultimate will, nor does it force him to act against his best judgement. But Scripture is clear that prayer can change God's choice of actions on my behalf. It can dramatically affect the way God involves himself in my life.

Listen to God on this question: "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14.

Notice that the promise in this verse is based on a condition: "If my people will pray." Action on Earth (prayer) leads to action in Heaven—forgiveness and healing that would not otherwise take place. God has a large supply of blessings ready for us in our daily living, but his gifts carry a condition. The condition is humble petition. It is prayer that opens God's storehouse of blessings, and from this perspective, yes—prayer changes God!

Some people have a problem with this. "God does whatever he wills, and it's presumptuous to think that our puny prayers have actual effect. Will God love someone more because we have prayed for that person?"

This is a rational argument but not a biblical one. Of course God will not "love someone more" because we have prayed for that person. His love reaches endlessly to all his created beings. But God himself tells us we must pray for those who don't believe, pray for the household of faith, pray for rulers, pray for the sick, pray for everyone everywhere. This praying is not incidental; it's not a charade. It's the essence of God's activity on Earth.

Are we willing to grant that God has the prerogative to choose the weapons by which his kingdom will advance? He has chosen prayer as a primary weapon—and placed that weapon in our hands. If we use the weapon of prayer, the kingdom will advance. If we neglect it, the kingdom will stall. God is not creating his kingdom light-years away from us, but in us and through us. We are his friends and warriors in a great expedition to save the world.

Recall the teaching of Jesus on prayer, which we might summarise this way. . . . "Whatever you bind on Earth is bound in Heaven. If two of you agree in prayer, it will be done. Through prayer and the Spirit, you will do even greater things than I have done. Ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. Ask whatever you wish, and it will be given to you. Your 'mustard seed' faith will move mountains—nothing is impossible for the one who prays!"

Prayer is not an exercise in futility or just a devotional ritual. It is an actual reaching out by faith into the mysterious heart and will of God. It is obedience to God's invitation to participate in the divine plan for saving the world. As John Wesley expressed it, "God does nothing but in answer to prayer." The understanding is well stated this way: "It is a part of God's plan to grant us, in answer to the prayer of faith, that which He would not bestow did we not thus ask."*

Yes, it's true—prayer can and does change the course of history for people and nations. If God chooses to use your praying and mine as a chief method of the kingdom, the sin of presumption is not that I employ prayer in such a way, but that I fail to employ it in such a way!

Now the personal part. Will you accept the challenge of praying right into Heaven for the blessing of the world? It's a privilege few people exercise, but one that will change course of your life for the better—along with the lives of those around you.

* Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, p 525.