From time to time I read comments on atheist forums. I do it to see how they think, how they argue and see what the “latest” argument is. A very common theme is prayer. They have their tests and scientific studies that allegedly “debunk” prayer. It is really sad. They are like children trying to explain how electricity or radio waves work. Prayer is beyond their comprehension or understanding because they do not know God. They have no idea even where to begin. “See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him” (1 John 3:1).
God does not need to be tested or to prove Himself by moving a piece of cardboard to yes or no, which is an atheist’s test for prayer. He causes the sun to rise and set each day. He spoke and the world was formed. The children of God know these things. We know that we can approach the throne of God with confidence. “This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him” (1 John 5:14-15). We know that what we ask must be according to His will and that prayer is not for our own pleasures. “You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures” (Jas. 4:3). We know that we can pray all the time. “Pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thess. 5:17-18). We know that we can pray for wisdom. “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind” (Jas. 1:5-6). We know that we can pray for the sick. “Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much” (Jas. 5:14-16).
We know these things because we know God and are known by Him. What a blessing it is to be able to pray directly to God in the name, or by the authority of His Son, and know that the Creator of the universe listens and cares (John 16:23-27)!