Prayer and Absolute Predestination

Charles Spurgeon on Predestination in Prayer (commentary on Luke 11:9):
"Another objection has been raised that is very ancient indeed, and it has a great appearance of force. It is raised not so much by skeptics as by those who hold a part of the truth. It is this: prayer can certainly produce no results because the decrees of God have settled everything and those decrees are immutable. Now, we have no desire to deny the assertion that the decrees of God have settle all events. Certainly, it is our full belief that God has foreknown and predestined everything that happens in heaven above or in the earth beneath. I fully believe that the foreknown station of a reed by the river is as fixed as the station of a king, and the chaff from the hand of the winnower is steered like the stars in their courses. Predestination embraces the great and the little; it reaches to all things. The question is, Why Pray? Might it not as logically be asked, Why breathe, eat, move, or do anything? We have an answer that satisfies us; namely, our prayers are in the predestination, and God has as much ordained His people's prayers as anything else. So, when we pray, we are producing links in the chain of ordained facts. Destiny decrees that I should pray - I pray. Destiny decrees that I will be answered - the answer comes to me."

(Jerome Zanchius on Absolute Predestination, 1516-1590)

"Without a due sense of predestination, we shall lack the
surest and the most powerful inducement to patience,
resignation and dependence on God under every spiritual
and temporal affliction. How sweet must the following
considerations be to a distressed believer!

(1) There most certainly exists an almighty, all-wise
and infinitely gracious God.

(2) He has given me in times past, and is giving me
at present (if I had but eyes to see it), many and
signal intimations of His love to me--both in a way
of providence and grace.

(3) This love of His is immutable; He never repents
of it nor withdraws it.

(4) Whatever comes to pass in time, is the result
of His will from everlasting, consequently

(5) my afflictions were a part of His original plan,
and are all ordered in number, weight and measure.

(6) The very hairs of my head are (every one) counted
by Him, nor can a single hair fall to the ground but in
consequence of His determination. Hence

(7) my distresses are not the result of chance, accident
or a fortuitous combination of circumstances, but

(8) the providential accomplishment of God's purpose, and

(9) designed to answer some wise and gracious ends, nor

(10) shall my affliction continue a moment longer than
God sees fit.

(11) He who brought me to it, has promised to support
me under it, and to carry me through it.

(12) All shall, most assuredly, work together for His glory
and my good, therefore

(13) "The cup which my heavenly Father has given me to
drink, shall I not drink it?" Yes, I will, in the strength He
imparts, even rejoice in tribulation. I will commit myself
and the event to Him, whose purpose cannot be overthrown,
whose plan cannot be disconcerted; and who, whether I am
resigned or not, will still go on to work all things after the
counsel of His own will."