Does Prayer Move God?

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 14, 1871

Does Prayer Move God?

A FATHER, to please his little boy, has placed him in a skiff, and allowed it to float a few yards from the shore. He has placed his foot upon the end of the line to hold it. By the time the line is straightened, the little fellow is afraid, and calls to his father to come to him. His father tells him to take hold of the line and pull the shore to the boat. He pulls as directed, and, with a steady eye on his father, sees him, as he thinks, approach the boat, and soon finds himself in his bosom.

Did he move the shore? Did he draw his father to the boat? No; but it seems so to him; the desired result is accomplished; philosophy is nothing to him; he is content.

We are often asked, or perhaps we ask ourselves, “How can prayer avail? Will it move God or change his purpose?” God has revealed to us that prayer is the cord by which our faith is attached to his throne. On this cord he has directed us to pull earnestly and without ceasing. He who obeys soon finds himself in the bosom of his Father, and is little concerned about philosophy.—Sel.