Why Pray, indeed?

I was recently speaking with another Christian (yes, Christian--for those that will gasp when I finish this sentence)that happens to be an "Arminian." It is not that I think necessarily that he would even qualify himself this way but the term sums up what he said by the end of our conversation. "I just don't understand why anyone could believe in this predestination stuff," he said in mixed company. I say mixed because I realized shortly that he was actually speaking with a group of people comprised of those with similar understanding as he...that is all but me, a pretty avowed biblical Calvinist.


(Insert sound of oxygen leaving the room as those reading this debate whether I am a good Christian for being in the same room as an Arminian or others fill their lungs with horror because I just associated Christian and Calvinist.) I am pretty sure he didn't know my own understanding of Scripture as he continued to disparage the doctrines of what has been labeled "Calvinism" with a good amount of fervor, even suggesting that it may have something to do with people's understanding of Scripture as to why they maintained such error. I politely listened, I love the man, and decided to just consider his argument. Anyone that knows me will tell you that I am not afraid to jump into such debate with perhaps more than the necessary counter-fervor but I do believe it is important to do something strange every once in a while and, yup, listen. I am glad I did. The more he spoke the more his very set beliefs seemed to move further than Scripture itself and this was more than unfortunate. It slipped largely into an argument based upon love and God's and "logic" concerning man's decision-making abilities with little reference to Scripture at all. (By the way, you can check my Shelfari in the left column for a book that addresses God's Love and issues of "logic"and others with real excellence by, John MacArthur, Jr.)
I decided to ponder on his considerations as a matter of preparing a better response to such debate in the future. As I was pondering it throughout the week the Lord brought many passages to mind that I could list out here in machine-gun-style but many would be known by both sides of the argument with presuppositions already formed. Then, last night my wife told me something of a discussion she had at Bible study. In the course of her conversation with the other ladies they were considering Lydia and the special grace God showed in calling her to himself. Then, repeating the conclusions of another author they were considering my wife repeated something very profound--"Why Pray?" She wasn't' asking, she was telling. I had a real moment of clarity-that which is so clarion it can only be the Holy Spirit's breath over the repeated discussion of the Word. (I love it when that happens.)
I have often studied passages in the Psalms,commands in the New Testament to pray "without ceasing" and Christ's examples and parables in response to the disciples' question, "teach us to pray" and never had the practical conclusion her simple words impressed. I have even taught others on prayer, stressing its positioning of the believer correctly before God, in obedience and glorification with a healthy dose of total reliance. I have encouraged others to pray for others and their salvation as the right pleading of a believer for the lost, just as much, as a participation not only in the ordained ends of God but his means as well. Yet, I had never just considered the simple question: If God is not the total agent of salvation, then why pray to him as agent in the salvation of others? In fact, why pray to God to accomplish anything if he cannot accomplish this great and necessary task in the heart of the believer. Why would one be satisfied requesting self-provisions, bread, food, water, home, if these alone God supplies? Would God supply these alone to those he loves? Would he answer the believers as a hateful father giving only these lesser things but not that which we desperately need? And would he prescribe prayer not only by command but example in Christ himself? It is almost as "illogical" to assume such as a father giving his son a snake when he asks for fish! Is any believer willing to stand up and say, "Yeah, you know, I only pray because I love my friend and want him to come to Christ, but I know God can only wait for him?" Wouldn't it make more sense to pray to the individual you want to be "saved" by this impotent God than to pray to that God which cannot effect the salvation of he for whom you pray?
The Arminian (including that dear man I listened to in"discussion") must first assume a God able to move with Sovereign impunity to accomplish the salvation of those loved ones, or enemies, for whom they pray. Of course, so do I, and that isn't Arminian, that is decidedly Calvinist--it smacks of predestination and God's total sovereignty. Such a conception is a prerequisite for all prayer--including even Christ's prayer in Luke 11. To the non-Calvinist (specifically, those that deny God's predestination) the main issue is that of God's designation of those whom he will save and those he will not. The bur is the passages that seem to suggest that man is responsible for "choosing" God. This logical dilemma has answers and I would suggest that it is first solved by a reference to Scripture and then if the dilemma continues perhaps praying to the God who loves to reveal himself, sovereignly, transcendent and intimate and hears every word we utter--and can do something about it. Boy, I am glad he not only hears my words in prayer and responds: "My dear son, I wish that person wanted to be saved too...but there is nothing I can do about it. I guess we will have to wait and see what they do..."

For more on this subject from those who are more knowledgeable than I, see: Why I Am a Calvinist (Summary & Conclusion) over at Pulpit Magazine.