First of all, let us be clear. We do not pray in order to change God's mind. We pray because, in order to have a relationship with God, we need to be able to tell Him how we feel.
To have a relationship with anyone, we need to tell this person how we feel. If something is on our mind and we do not express it, we fail to connect. But if we do express it, even if it has nothing to do with our friend, we feel more connected than ever.
This is the reason to pray, even to pray for something. To feel connected. To know that God is there. To know that God is God, and, according to His plan, everything will be all right.
This is the reason to pray, even to pray for something. We need to express to God what we feel. But then we say: "But Thy will be done."
"Please, God; but Thy will be done."
2. If God's plan always brings about the best thing that can happen, why bother?
Notably, this is never the attitude of those who do believe that everything that happens follows God's plan. Such people know that their lives too have followed God's plan; they love themselves, and this always inspires in them a sincere love for others.
Besides, God's plan may bring about the best thing that can happen, but it does not work apart from what we do. And until we act, and things have happened that cannot be changed, the future is ours to make. Therefore, our job is to try to see things as they are and to work for what we think is best.
Two more reasons that faith in God's plan does not call for complacency:
We cannot outguess God. We do not know why His plan calls for what it does. The fact that it is raining does not necessarily mean that God does not want us to go on a picnic. Maybe He wants us to go and get wet.
We are here to grow. The fact that we did something does not mean that God wants us to continue doing it. Maybe He wants us to learn from our mistake and try harder to do better.
3. If God has planned everything, what about free will?
First of all, free will is not the power to make choices that even God did not see coming. It does not mean that a person can make choices apart from human nature and his past experience. Free will means that a person's choices are not normally compelled by an exterior power. Rather, his response to anything that happens reflects him , the person who he is. Since this response changes him, a lifetime of this process is personal responsibility. The fact that God knew, and even planned, all the events that led to these results does not change the fact that the events did not become results except through a person's reactions being himself.
Thus, it is not past or person. It is past and person. God and us.
4. If all of us share everything in heaven, what's the point of my sacrifice?
To answer this question, we begin by pointing out-see question 2-that God's plan does not work apart from what we do. And, until we act, and things have happened that cannot be changed, the future is ours to make. Therefore, your sacrifice will make heaven better for everyone-and therefore also for you. Of course, this raises the next question:
5. If all of us share everything in heaven, where's the justice?
First of all, love surpasses justice-and love is not love if its object was my reward.
Secondly, people do the best they can with what they are given.
Thirdly, in the grand scheme of God's plan, people play the part that they were meant to play. The success of God's plan requires them to play this part. If they would be forever less because this was the part God gave them, where is the justice?
Besides, faith is its own reward. The person with faith has so much more than anyone without it. Even in struggles that faith itself inspires, the person with more faith is more alive.