It has been said that God does nothing without prayer. This is false. More than false, it is blasphemous. God has acted from eternity. He spoke the universe into existence without an invitation. He chose his people and planned their redemption long before any man drew breath or lifted a voice in prayer. He raised Christ from the dead by his own power. He judged kings and humbled nations whether men prayed or not. He is God. He does as he pleases in the heavens and on the earth. He needs no prayer to act, no man to initiate his will. He is not bound to prayer. But he delights in it. He has ordained that many of his works proceed through it. Not because he must be persuaded, but because he has chosen to work with those who believe him. He does not require prayer to act. He chooses to act through prayer.

This means that prayer is never an attempt to overpower God. It is not a form of spiritual coercion. We are not trying to force his hand or storm his throne. It is not a contest of wills, and we are not stronger than he is. If we could overpower him, we would not need him. And if we were stronger than God, he would not be God at all. The idea that prayer is powerful because it conquers God’s reluctance turns prayer into pagan magic. The power of prayer is not in its ability to prevail over God, but in his eagerness to answer the call of faith. Faith does not wrestle a gift out of God’s hand. It receives the promises that God is zealous to fulfill. Thus the prayer of faith is not persuasion, but welcome. True prayer does not begin with the desperation of those who fear that God may say no. It begins with the confidence of those who know that, in Christ, God has already said yes.

In prayer, we welcome a God who is willing. He has promised healing, prosperity, wisdom, love, and victory in every aspect of life and faith. Prayer acknowledges and welcomes his kindness. It receives the generosity he has declared. God has made known his desire to save and to bless. He has spoken these things in Christ. When we say, “God, we welcome your healing,” we are not asking him to decide whether or not to heal. We are receiving the healing he has guaranteed and accomplished. When we say, “God, we welcome your prosperity,” we are taking our place in his abundance. The prayer of faith is an act of welcome, not exertion.

To welcome God in prayer is to express faith in him. It is to say yes to his blessings in Christ Jesus. He has sent the Holy Spirit. He has guaranteed miracles and prophecies. He has made hundreds of promises concerning our success and happiness. We do not need to introduce these ideas to him. They come from him. Our part is to receive. A miracle of healing might take no more effort than to say, “We welcome you to heal this man” or “We welcome you to intervene and remove this cancer.” He sent Jesus Christ to carry our sicknesses. He made him a curse so that we would inherit the blessing. When we welcome his healing, or any other blessing, we are welcoming what has been accomplished at the cross. We are placing our confidence in his promise and giving him a clear path to perform his word. We say, “God, we welcome your power here.” And he comes. We say, “We welcome your justice in this matter.” And he acts.

The Faithless think that prayer is a struggle, as if they wish to earn the answer or feel noble in delay. But this is religious pride, not piety. God never said, “Pray until you collapse.” He said, “Ask, and you will receive.” He did not say, “Convince me to love you.” He said, “I have loved you with an everlasting love.” He did not say, “Force me to bless you.” He said, “I have blessed you in Christ with every spiritual blessing.” If God had wanted to make prayer difficult, he would have hidden his promises. But instead, he made them public. He declared them plainly. He said, “Call to me, and I will answer you.” Faith welcomes him.

Prayer is the simple, bold welcome of a child who believes his father. It says, “Father, I thank you for your will. I welcome your promise. I receive your word.” It does not fumble through formulas or question God’s motives. It does not ask for healing with a disclaimer. It does not ask for provision with a tone of shame. It welcomes what God has said. It welcomes all that God can do, and rejoices in everything that God has accomplished. The man who prays like this has no struggle. He triumphs in peace and relaxation, because the flesh counts for nothing. He enters the throne room, not as a beggar, but as a son. He does not need to make a case for the Father’s kindness. He stands in it.

This is the true spirit of prayer. It is the welcome of faith, not a struggle or a last resort. It is the language of one who believes that God gives us all that he has and dares to agree with him. It is the amen to the word of God. When we pray, “God, we welcome your grace and power,” we are merely resting in what he has begun. And he is glad to finish what he starts.