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 ...