Prayer and the will of God?

What is the truth about prayer and the will of God? Are God's hands tied until we pray? Is He powerless until we pray? The reason I ask this question is because so many people seem to believe God cannot do certain things until we pray. This may be true about non-salvation issues, but is it true regarding the salvation of souls?

Also, some people seem to believe that if we do not pray hard enough and long enough and fast until we faint God will not answer our prayers. Is it true that God will not or cannot do certain things for our loved ones until we pray hard enough? If a house is destroyed by a tornado and another house is left standing is it because we prayed for the one and not the other? If someone dies and another survives is it because we prayed hard enough for the one and not the other?

Do you see what I mean? What determines what God can and cannot do?

Mike...
Good questons. I don't presume to know the answer, but can I add another question? How many people does it take to pray over an issue for God to hear it? Many times in church or prayer meeting, we hear, "I told him/her that I would ask my church to pray for her, too." Same holds true re International Day of Prayer, etc. I sometimes feel as though we offer prayers on a prayer wheel, and it bothers me. Is there a certain magic number of people praying that finally gets God's attention? Can't just one or
two who are agreed ask anything in God's name?

grace, peace, patience...

Murian

What is prayer to God that it requires so much faith and fasting in order for Him to answer according to His will? Does the will of God really depend on whether or not we pray properly?

James
5:16 The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

James
4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume [it] upon your lusts.

Matthew
17:21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

I find this quote a very helpful one when my modern cynical nature says that most things work out by themselves given time. It isn't true of course - we need God's direct intervention if we are going to be the kind of people He wants!
GC.525 "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 ask."

Mikk, indeed there are many other such quotes by Sister White. But do you think God will answer the prayers the Holy Spirit utters on our behalf even if we do not articulate them ourselves? I tend to think the kind of prayers God will not answer if we do not ask have to do with mundane and temporal things rather than salvation issues. What do you think?

Romans
8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
8:27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what [is] the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to [the will of] God.

Mike...
In partial answer:-
Jesus Himself told Nicodemus that the work of the Holy Spirit could be seen but we could not know how He comes or where He goes. So I guess anything about when and why the Spirit comes into a life is part of this mystery. Nevertheless there are tantalizing glimpses into the mystery! 1 Peter 1:20 says that the precious blood of Christ our lamb was ‘foreordained before the foundation of the world’ and Paul (Eph1:4) says we were ‘chosen in Him before the foundation of the world’. I am positive that salvation so dearly bought and so carefully planned is not left to the sometimes chance prayers of people! Nevertheless we are often told to be co-workers with Christ – and that of course means lots of prayer. However, it seems wrong to even contemplate that this prayer changes God’s intentions – COL 143 ‘ Prayer is not to work any change in God; it is to bring us into harmony with God.’ On the other hand – (and I know I am arguing both sides now!) God certainly takes notice of our prayers for the salvation of others – witness Abraham and Lot. Another example of this latter kind is the statement recently brought to my attention regarding praying for the latter rain – “The prayers that have been ascending for the fulfillment of the promise, the descent of the Holy Spirit, not one has been lost. Each prayer has been accumulating, ready to overflow and pour forth a healing flood of heavenly influence and accumulated light all over the world” (EGW Letter 96, 1899 p2).
Perhaps this is one of those mysteries that will be the study of the saints in heaven!

Amen!!! I'm so glad your salvation and mine does not depend on the prayers of tired and lonely human beings. However, if I should fall ill some day I would very much appreciate their prayers and yours.