It’s just that as the explanations about Calvinism mount, it seems that more and more of them lead down the road of mechanical performance.
Our prayers mean something to us because we believe that they actively work to help us towards our road to God and therefore our salvation. They do something and mean something to a believe trying to communicate with God, or else if they are truly mechanical, then they mean nothing since the intent of the individual is what matters.
Well, I can objectively understand how it looks that way to those who do not "subscribe". :) I have been trying to stress that it can only be seen as mechanical from omniscient God's POV. Always from the human POV, all is new. Therefore, since we humans experience the same thing no matter which theology is correct, I don't understand the "badness" of having God be fully in control.
Our prayers mean something to us because we believe that they actively work to help us towards our road to God and therefore our salvation. They do something and mean something to a believer trying to communicate with God, or else if they are truly mechanical, then they mean nothing since the intent of the individual is what matters.
We also believe that our prayers mean something because they actively work to help us towards our road to God through sanctification. We become closer to God because of prayer. This is always worthy and important. And to be of any benefit, of course the intent of the one praying has to be true.