What is the logic behind prayer?

[Jollygrade408]

I mean do religious people intend to influence God's decision on a certain event, to take action where he wouldn't have otherwise? Doesn't us having "free-will" basically mean things are set in motion by us humans and we have to deal with the consequences of our actions and God will not intervene?

I mean it works that way when people describe the bad things that happen in life about how God gives us free-will and it is that that makes us essentially human and to have a choice. When a young girl is raped it is all right because the rapist has to have free will (clearly it doesn't matter about the young girl being raped or the child being murdered or whomever). So then what is the logic behind praying to change something outside our control and outside God's control as he can't intervene as it would take away someone's free-will?

Why do I see people rallying "prayer warriors" on facebook when someone's loved one gets sick or dies when they know it can't change anything even provided the person who they are praying to does exist. I realize it is done to feel some control over the situation but past that the logic behind it escapes me. I moved from a very non-religious place to Texas and it confuses me.