“The prayer of petition is a part of God’s plan for man. When we say that God answers prayers, we do not mean that prayer caused God to change His mind. God has made the whole world and governs it by His providence. Everything that occurs in the world takes place according to the plan of divine providence. But it is part of God’s plan that certain gifts will be given man only in answer to prayer. We pray, not to change God’s plan, but in order to receive from God those things which He has planned to give us in answer to our prayers.” My Way of Life by Walter Farrell and Martin J Healy