Prayer
Based on relationship — simply talk with God.
Lesson 10 · Course 65
10 Questions About Prayer
Prayer as relationship talk with God — miracles, nature’s laws, and guidance through open doors.
At a glance
Summary
Prayer is relationship talk with God. God can override natural laws; He does not answer prayer for our purposes instead of His. Critics call miracles myths and Bible writers embellishers; Intelligent Design fits observable facts. Not all miracles are repeatable. God often leads through open doors. Moodle False that no one will ever do a greater miracle than those done by Jesus.
Quiz 10: 9/10 (90%), 5m 4s, cmid 1197 / attempt 101996. Essays Complete/Not graded (Q11–Q13 verbatim). Miss: Q10 greater miracle than Jesus (chose True; Moodle False).
Big ideas
What to teach and remember
- Prayer = relationship talk with God.
- False that God will never override natural laws; True that He can override whenever He chooses.
- Critics: miracles as myths; Bible writers embellished.
- Intelligent Designer fits observable universe.
- God does not answer prayer to do the miraculous for our purposes, not His.
- Not all miracles are repeatable.
- God often leads through open doors: opportunities, friends, common sense.
- Miss Q10: False that no one will ever do a greater miracle than Jesus’.
Key terms
People, places, and words that matter
Open doors
Opportunities, friends, even common sense as guidance.
Intelligent Designer
Fits the facts of the observable universe (as graded).
Miracles (repeatability)
Not all miracles are repeatable.
Structure
Outline / timeline
- Prayer as relationship
- Nature’s laws and God’s freedom to override
- Critics of miracles and Scripture
- Intelligent Design; purpose of answered prayer
- Open doors; Q10 miss on greater miracles
Must remember
Facts to keep straight
| Quiz 10 | 90% (9/10), cmid 1197 — miss Q10 |
|---|---|
| Prayer | Relationship talk with God |
| Natural laws | God can override; not “never” |
| Answered prayer | For His purposes, not merely ours |
| Q10 | False — someone may do a greater miracle than Jesus’ (as graded) |
Compare
Side-by-side contrasts
Never override vs can override
- False: God will never override natural laws
- True: God can interfere/override whenever He chooses
For the pulpit
Sermon hooks
- Preach prayer as conversation in a relationship, not a vending machine.
- Hold miracles under God’s purpose — not our wish list.
- Teach open doors without making them fatalism.
- Flag the miss: Moodle says False that no one will ever do a greater miracle than Jesus’.
Quiz drill
Quiz drill / review · open to practice · 10 items
Quiz score: 90% · 1 attempt
1. Prayer is based on a relationship to God where you simply talk with God.
TrueRelationship talk.
2. God will never override His natural laws of nature.
FalseHe can override.
3. Critics argue that miracles are only myths used to perpetuate Christianity.
TrueCritics’ myth charge.
4. Critics argue that the Bible writers embellished the truth to further their cause.
TrueCritics’ embellishment charge.
5. The idea that God is the Intelligent Designer of the universe fits the facts of the observable universe.
TrueID fits observable facts.
6. God can interfere with or override the laws of nature whenever He chooses.
TrueHe can override.
7. God answers prayer to do the miraculous for our purposes, not His.
FalseNot for our purposes instead of His.
8. All miracles are repeatable.
FalseNot all are repeatable.
9. God often leads through open doors: opportunities, friends, and even common sense.
TrueOpen doors.
10. No one will ever do a greater miracle than those done by Jesus.
FalseMiss / partialMiss: chose True; Moodle False.
Essay themes
If you preach or review
According to Dr. Towns, what is prayer?
According to Dr. Towns, prayer is based on a relationship with God in which we simply talk with Him. It is communication and conversation with the Father, not a mechanical formula or a way of manipulating Him. Through Christ, a believer who has a relationship with God can bring requests, worship, and thanksgiving to Him.
With respect to prayer's effectiveness in bringing change in the natural world, what is the critics' (skeptics') argument, and how can we respond?
Skeptics argue that the universe is a closed mechanical system controlled by fixed scientific laws. If prayer could change events in the natural world, they say it would interrupt cause and effect and produce chaos, so miracles and answers to prayer must be myths or mistaken interpretations. We can respond that God is the Creator and the Source and Lawgiver of nature. He is not trapped inside the naturalist's box; He can work through providence, bring natural forces together, or answer by a higher law and perform a miracle for His divine purpose. This does not mean prayer controls God. We pray in submission to His will and according to His Word.
Why would we believe that prayer could override God's plans for the universe?
I would not say that prayer overrides God's plans as though God were surprised or forced to change His mind. God is omniscient and sovereign, and He already knows the requests we will bring. Rather, prayer is one of the means God uses within His plan, and He may include our prayers in the way He accomplishes His will. When He answers with providence or a miracle, He is not abandoning His purposes; He is carrying out a divine purpose through the prayer of His people. Therefore we pray with faith, but also with submission to God's will.