In our theology class we had a discussion about open theism... the idea that God does not have the future planned or settled. Those who uphold this idea stand in contrast to Calvinists and traditional Arminians who believe that God does have the future settled. Calvinists believe this is so because they believe God has predetermined the future. Arminians believe this because they believe God has 'exhaustive foreknowledge.' Open theists (can, but doesnt have to, include some Arminians), though, claim their view is helpful; they claim it answers many questions we have about God. How do we deal with verses in the Bible that talk about God changing his mind? If our prayers don't have an effect on God, why do we pray? Why is there evil in the world?
Open theists claim that these questions can be answered by believing in a God who knows all that might be, but who doesn't know what will be.
I tend to lean away from the open theist point of view. And I get really riled up when they go to prayer as a reason why we should believe in open theism. I think it is presumptous of us to say: why pray if we can't change God's mind. Our changing God's mind is not our purpose in prayer, and if it is, we need to do some reevaluating. It makes prayer selfish.
There is tons of worth in praying even if we will never change God's mind. In Jesus' model prayer, the first half is spent adoring, praising, and thanking God. This should be our primary foucs in prayer. This should be more than enough reason to pray.
And when we do intercede for others, our prayer should be like that of Jesus'.... that we pray for His will to be done. This affirms in us an inner trust in the fact that His will is the best way. If we don't believe that, we will have a hard time authentically praying for His will. So if we are not at that point, maybe our prayer should be "make my will in align with yours..."
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