I mean, sure, you can ask for specific things, and sometimes those prayers might even be granted. (See Hannah, the barren woman, praying for a child and receiving Samuel.) I encourage people in my church to believe in the power of prayer, that it can actually do things, not as some wishy-washy feel good line.

When you are dealing with an all knowing God, who is to say that those prayers are not already part of the plan? And as in any relationship, you'll find that if the only time you communicate is when you want something, then that is not good communication, which means not a good relationship, which means the point of prayer is being missed entirely.

The Bible is a history of humanity participating in the Divine Plan.

Next unsolvable conundrum?