Have you heard skeptics accuse believers of magical thinking? Believers pray and expect results, and the criticism is that there is no causal link between the prayer and results by scientific means. The error in this reasoning is assuming that the power is in the gesture, or incantation, or even sacrifice. Believers understand that their faith is an expression of their relationship with me. This takes prayer out of the realm of cause and effect. They are petitions for me to act. Though I am moved by the requests of my people I am not controlled by them. The power is not in the prayer but in the one who answers.
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