When atheists argue against God, they often point to prayer. They argue that because prayer doesn’t receive an instant answer in exactly the form it was prayed, that means prayer doesn’t work, and therefore there is no God. This argument is based on a fundamental misunderstanding of prayer. Atheists see prayer as a method of controlling God. A Christian should supposedly be able to force God to do something just by praying. In reality, Christians don’t pray as bosses, but as servants.
There are many relationships in this world similar to God and His Church. Government to citizens, husband to wife, boss to employee, parent to child, teacher to student, all of these relationships should be positive, yet there is a noticeable hierarchy. Citizens can petition the government to take a certain action. Wives can ask their husbands to take the marriage in a specific direction. Employees can ask their bosses for a raise. Children can ask their parents for a toy. Students can ask their teachers for an extended deadline. All of these requests have one thing in common: the higher authority can, in the right circumstances, say “no”.
Now, there are times when the higher authority cannot say no. “Hitler, please stop killing the Jews” would be a legitimate request. There are also times when the higher authority cannot say yes. “Daddy, can I have a cigarette even though I’m only 4?” is not something any responsible parent should say yes to. These instances do not apply to a sovereign God, of course. Nevertheless, we are dealing with a higher authority than ourselves. When we pray, God has every right to give whatever response He deems fit. Prayer is a request that may be granted, not a command that must be obeyed. Therefore, any argument that assumes God must give an answer to prayer is invalid.