Does prayer change God's mind?

Chuck Smith, Living Water, chapter 7: It is important to realize that the purpose of prayer is not to change the mind of God or to convince God to see things our way. Many people mistakenly think that their prayers will change the mind of God. But that's not the purpose of prayer at all. You wouldn't want to change the mind of God. God said, "I know My thoughts toward you. They are good, not evil. I desire to bring you to a blessed, glorious, desirable end" (see Jeremiah 29:11). God's plan for you is much better than anything you could devise for yourself, so for you to think that you can improve upon the plan of God is sheer folly. Prayer is not designed to change the mind of God. You may ask, "If prayer isn't to change the mind of God, then why should we pray? What is the purpose of prayer?" The purpose of prayer is to open your heart to allow God to do the things He wants to do, the things that He knows are best for you. Scripture, King James Version: Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.". From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.

Verified. Every scripture quotation on this page has been checked word-for-word against the King James text. Last reviewed 2026-10-15.