Well, I guess this is just an aspect of the irreconcilable concepts of God's omniscience and Man's free will.
If we were to pray, aren't we interfering what God has set?
Also, if people's prayers are contradictory, which one does God answers?
I've read a quotation - "Do not pray for easier problems, pray to be strongert men." This is an attempt to justify the power and extent of prayer. But where do you draw the line of the things that we can ask from God.
"Be content with what you have." Isn't this a tenet of Xtianity?
Then by praying, however trivial (winning a contest) it may be or however life-changing (save the life of a loved one), it still is an indication that we want more than God gave us. We are not contented.
If somebody could shed light into this.

Thanks
Jesus gave Christians examples of what they should pray for in accordance with God His and our Father.
Matthew 6:5. "And
when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
6. But thou, when thou prayest,
enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. 7. But when ye pray,
use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
8. Be not ye therefore like unto them:
for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. 9. After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
(Praise God.)10. Thy kingdom come.
(for the coming kingdom)Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
( for His will to be done in earth as it is in heaven)11. Give us this day our daily bread.
(physical food and spiritual food)12. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
(forgive our sin as we forgive those that sin against us)13. And lead us not into temptation,
( keep us out of situations that could cause us to sin ) but deliver us from evil:
(keep us from evil) For thine is the kingdom,
(acknowledge God for what and who He is)and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen."
We make the mistake many times of praying not in accordance to what God would have us pray. Prayers can be unscriptural. God gave us the guide lines for prayer.
Matthew 5:44. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and
pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;Matthew 9:37. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;
38.
Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.Romans 8:26.
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.Romans 12:12. Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation;
continuing instant in prayer;Ephesians 6:18.
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; Philippians 4:6. Be careful for nothing;
but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.1 Thessalonians 5:16. Rejoice evermore.
17.
Pray without ceasing. 18.
In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.1 Timothy 2:1. I exhort therefore, that, first of all,
supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2. For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
3. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
4. Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
5. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
James 5:13-16. Is any among you
afflicted? let him
pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.
14. Is
any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: 15. And the
prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. 16.
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.1 Peter 2:12. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous,
and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
1 Peter 4:7. But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore
sober, and watch unto prayer.Jude 1:20. But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith,
praying in the Holy Ghost, 1 Timothy 2:8. I will therefore that men
pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.A few scriptural verses that covers some of what God expects
of our praying and our prayers.
Take care,
Ollie