Here are several direct quotes from Ellen White where she addresses how prayer enables God to act: 1. "Prayer moves the arm of Omnipotence. He who marshals the stars in order in the heavens, whose word controls the waves of the great deep, the same infinite Creator will work in behalf of His people if they call upon Him in faith. He will restrain the forces of darkness until the warning is given to the world and all who will heed it are prepared for the conflict." (Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, p. 452.2) 2. "The children of God are not left alone and defenseless. Prayer moves the arm of Omnipotence. Prayer has 'subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire'—we shall know what it means when we hear the reports of the martyrs who died for their faith—'turneth to flight the armies of the aliens.' Hebrews 11:33, 34." (Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 172.4) 3. "Again, worldly wisdom teaches that prayer is not essential. ... It is a part of God's plan to grant us, in answer to the prayer of faith, that which He would not bestow did we not thus ask." (The Great Controversy, p. 525.2) These statements clearly express Ellen White’s teaching that prayer is a means by which God is enabled to act on behalf of His people, and that there are blessings and interventions He would not bestow unless asked in prayer. References: - White, E. G. (1889). Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, p. 452.2. - White, E. G. (1900). Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 172.4. - White, E. G. (1911). The Great Controversy, p. 525.2.