Sovereignty and Stewardship

We had a great discussion the other night at small group about the power of prayer and God's sovereignty. The discussion went along the lines of "If God is sovereign, sees all, and knows the outcome of all things, will praying change the outcome?"

Phillipians 4:6 - 7 tells us:
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

1 Thes 5:16-18 further expounds:
"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

As Christians, our connection to God is through prayer. We are told to pray continually with thanksgiving and to present our requests to God. But if the outcome is already known, why bring our requests to God? After all, if He already knows the outcome why bother? The short answer is because we are told to do so. If God commands His followers to do something, we are to obediently comply.