Although I’ve recently acquired a new understanding of prayer, which I explain in this article: https://mwthayer.medium.com/a-life-of-prayer-e94ec1cf9c18

… My old conception of prayer, which really was just a stepping stone to the above, is that making the prayer “aligns” you to be more receptive of the thing you’re asking for.

For instance, you need a job. You’ve been looking and things haven’t panned out so well. You’re discouraged, and in that mindset you unconsciously shut down your receptivity. So you pray. By praying you expect results. This switches back in the receptivity. The universe may align itself to fulfill your wishes, but through prayer you are also aligning yourself to receive. Through prayer you’re telling yourself not to give up. Through prayer you’re processing your own insecurities and doubts, moving them out of the way or at least weakening their hold on you,

I don’t know how much I’ve changed the universe by sheer force of my will. I can’t say I haven’t moved the heavens. But I do know how much I’ve changed myself, my expectations, my “stance towards life”, by willing those changes into my being.