Prayer & Providence

The following is from David Atkinson in his commentary on the book of Ruth.

Prayer is, as it were, the flip side to the doctrine of providence.  Prayer is the acknowledgment, not of the psychological benefit of some mythological exercise, but of the fact that we believe that God is there, God cares, God rules and God provides, and believe it in such a way that we are ready to do something on that basis, namely speak to him.  Providence reminds us of our creatureliness and dependence on God, and that together with all men, we stand under God's lordship; prayer is an activity by which we acknowledge that we cannot be our own lord.  Providence reminds us that everything is not ultimately absurd or meaningless; prayer is our way of expressing our 'yes' to the conviction that God is working his purposes out in nature, in men, in history.  Providence is a reminder that the Lord is a God of grace and generosity; prayer is our way of responding to his invitation to be a member of his covenant family, his son or daughter, his co-worker in this world.  Providence reminds us that the living God is not an irresistible fate before whom we can only keep silent and passive; prayer is our response to God's invitation to share fellowship with him, an expression of our union with him.