Though I am now using them for a different purpose than he did, I am indebted to Greg Boyd for some of the concepts I am sharing below regarding why we pray.
Why do we pray? In a nutshell, the reason why we pray has to do with our God-given reality.
Love requires freedom.
Freedom creates risk.
Risk creates moral responsibility.
Moral responsibility is generally proportionate to influence.
Influence is (generally) irrevocable.
Power to influence is limited.
Regarding love & freedom: genuine love requires significant freedom. And such freedom is supported through influence, not coercion. God influences humans. Humans influence other humans. Humans also influence God through ...