IF PREDESTINATION IS TRUE, WHY PRAY?

We know that God has from all eternity predestinated all things that come to pass in time. Our God "worketh all things after the counsel of his own will...according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself."

But the question arises, "If the Lord's will shall surely be accomplished in all things, why should I pray about anything?" The answer is quite simple. The Lord has ordained a certain means by which he will accomplish all things. God has determined that you and I live a certain number of days. But if you cease breathing and eating, you will die; because these things are the means which God has ordained by which we live. God has sovereignly ordained the salvation of a multitude of sinners. Yet, we know that no man will ever be saved without hearing the gospel preached. Preaching is the means which God has ordained for the salvation of sinners. The Lord has also ordained a certain thing in your life, but he has determined to give it only after you pray to him for it.

My brother is sick, What shall I do? Shall I say simply, "The Lord's will be done?" No. I try to seek the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit, so that I may discern what the will of the Lord is. Then I can pray with faith and confidence. It may be that my prayer of faith is God's ordained means of saving the sick.

We rejoice in the doctrine of predestination. But we must never use it as an excuse for slothfulness. Those who believe in God's sovereign predestination ought to be the most fervent preachers in the land. And we ought to be the most fervent and confident intercessors as well.