human vs. divine prayer

In the harrowing story of Paul's shipwreck on the island of Malta in Acts 27, he issues a human prophecy.  He says to those aboard, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also (Acts 27:10).  He had previous experience sailing, including three shipwrecks (2 Cor 11:25).  He knows that fierce storms strike the Mediterranean in the winter and that they are due for one.  So it's human knowledge, and maybe his "Spidey-sense", which inspires his dire warning about sailing further.  And indeed, as a fierce storm does strike, for two weeks, Paul eventually says Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail... (Acts 27:21).  

However, during the storm, Paul has no doubt been praying against his dire human prophecy, especially the part about the loss of their lives, and instead asks God to save them.  And so he receives a divine prophecy which corrects his human prophecy: An angel...stood beside him and said, "Do not be afraid, Paul.  You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you (Acts 27:24).  And so, though there is a great loss of ship and cargo, all 276 souls aboard are saved.

As we pray for others, sometimes we do so out of a sense of foreboding, a kind of "uh-oh" feeling, a human prayer that may be based upon our human knowledge.  That may be well and good, sort of.  But on the other hand, in a culture that is primed by the news of doom and gloom, of wars and rumors of wars, we'd best be listening for a divine prophecy, coming out of The Divine Prayer of Jesus at the Right Hand of God (Rom 8:34).  He Alone knows what has, is, or will be happening.  We don't know how to pray as we should, but Jesus communicates His Prayer to us through the Holy Spirit (Rom 8:26).  In this way, as we pray His Divine Prayer, we won't be either communicating a false doom, or a false dream, but rather a True Hope in The One Who heals, delivers, and saves.