There are some who deny the effect that a simple prayer can have in our lives. They argue that God already knows our needs, so it is superfluous to bring them forth. They add that our needs can be over ruled by universal laws and His decrees. No doubt, certain laws or principles are unchangeable and He will not repeal them just to satisfy our desires. This doesn't mean that we must continue our existence with a fatalistic approach to everything we encounter. In doing so, we become passive instruments without free will or initiative. Each time we come across a problem, we bow our heads totally submissive and make no effort to avoid or overcome them.
We have been given the gifts of discernment and intelligence to be used and not to put them as part of a resume or to be boastful. He also wants us to become active participants in our own lives, sometimes making huge mistakes, but trying nonetheless. Some of these decisions can prevent fatal things from happening or change the course of our lives without disrupting the universal laws mentioned prior.
It is illogical to think the known maxim: "Ask and it shall be given to you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you (Matt 7:7)," is enough to receive anything we want out of life or accuse the Providence of denying it when it is not realized at the precise moment for It knows what's best for us. It is the same thing I do with my daughters when I refuse to give them every caprice because I know it is not in their best interest to do so. We tend to only see a few inches in front of our noses and concentrate on the present. What happens if the challenge or the suffering we must now endure is the missing element for a happy future? God will permit the "suffering" to take place just like a surgeon allows the patient to suffer prior to surgery in order to be healed.
When you pray, He will grant you valor, patience, and submission to His will. He will also give you the means in order for you to conquer the challenge by sowing new ideas in your head or meeting someone that can help you find the solution. He will help those who help themselves; not those who idly sit and wait for a miracle to happen.
Lets use an example. A man is lost in the middle of the Sahara desert. He is dying of thirst. Knowing the end could be very near, he collapses on the hot sand and prays for help, waiting for an angel to come to his aid with a glass of water. Suddenly, a thought crosses his mind that suggest to get up and to follow the path on the right hand side. He gathers his strength and resumes his march. He climbs a hill and discovers a small oasis at a distance. He has regained his confidence. If he has faith, he would say, "Thank you Lord, for the thought that inspired me to continue and the strength you have given me." If he has no faith, he'd comment, "Boy, I had a great thought. I was lucky to take the path on the right. Nothing can stop me because I am the greatest."
How come the "angel" wasn't clear on his message to take the path on the right? Instead, He "planted" the thought in his mind. How come the "angel" didn't present himself to him, took him by the hand, and led him straight to the oasis? He would have no doubt then about His existence and the effectiveness of his prayer. He wants us to help ourselves FIRST and to use our capacity to reason, think, and act. Furthermore, uncertainty is a test of our faith and submission to His will. This man was in the same situation as an infant who falls and waits for an adult to pass by to pick him up. When nobody comes, he makes an effort and gets up himself.
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