We need to address 2 obstacles. Part 3: What do I expect God to do for me in the material world?
I do pray to God to keep my family safe; that Putin’s regime might come crumbling down; that humanity will find the unity, wisdom and strength to overcome climate change; that my ill relative might get well. I pray in faith and hope, and I open my heart to God. And I think that God might act to help. However, in practice, in the usual course of events, I do NOT expect God to miraculously intervene to change what would have happened anyway. I sincerely hope – and fully expect – that some good will come from my prayer – but that will usually be through the effect of my prayer on human agency – that my prayer will prompt me to get off my backside and do something, or others hearing – or sharing in – my prayer will be corporately moved to act.
I do NOT judge that it is impossible for God to change things in the world; I do not demean those who pray fervently that he will, but in accordance with my agnosticism about the full, certain reality of God, I have to accept that I have no knowledge that God will act – and, being honest about the evidence – I cannot point to examples that give me an expectation that he will act. But in trust and faith I ask him – in case he will act, and I pray to express my true feelings to him, and to recommit myself to his mission. Everything else in prayer is about encouraging myself and others in the life of faith.
The end!
Spiritual Devotion 