John Piper in his talk on prayer shows his deep commitment to Scripture and his integrity as he speaks against his own Calvinistic position.
“It’s simply staggering that God, would ordain–now get this–that the Ruler of the universe would ordain–now get this–that prayers CAUSE things. They do! That prayer causes things to happen that would not happen if you didn’t pray. I wonder if there are any Calvinists out there squirming?
Listen to this, when James 4:2 says, “You do not have, because you do not ask.” That does not mean, “You would have anyway even if you didn’t ask because I’ve got a plan!” The verse does not mean the opposite of what it says! It says, “You have not because you ask not.” That means prayer causes things to happen that wouldn’t happen if you didn’t pray.
This is why this is such a staggeringly glorious privilege. To be taken by the Sovereign God of the universe who works all things according to his infinite wisdom, and to fold it into his causality.
This is breath-taking. If you do not avail yourself of the privilege of bringing to pass events in the universe, that would not take place if you didn’t pray, you are acting like a colossal fool! Aren’t you? I’m just thinking logically here.
If you are offered the privilege of engaging with God in such a way that your request could bring into being things that would not otherwise come into being, Not to avail yourself of that privilege is folly of the highest or lowest order!
That’s why we pray. He’s beckoning us into our share, in the running of the universe. Do you not know that you will judge angels? Do you know who you are, child of God?”
For further such good input, get the book Both/And available at:
https://www.amazon.com/Both-Laymans-Resolving-Calvanism-Armenian/dp/1979464049/ref=sr_1_94?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1515851287&sr=1-94&keywords=S.+Maxwell
