If I pray, isn't it redundant to pray according to "God's" will, if he's going to do what pleases himself, anyway?

I believe the meaning of pray according to God's will means for you to pray that God's will be done (rather than your will). You pray for that because, God's will is what would make things best for all.

It isn't so much asking for it to be done (which happens anyway). It's about showing your acceptance of God's will even if you don't understand or like it.

But, I'm a lifelong atheist, so I might be wrong about that.

You're not the first to read the bible literally, and start claiming the scripts are wrong. There are Those that look but don't open their eyes.There are Those that hear but don't listen.

God's will is mentioned in the scripture,to not suggest that everything is predetermined, but to indicate that god can impose his will if wishes. And also to suggest that you can't possibly comprehend the power that he has, or so to speak as a 3rd dimensional finite being you can't understand a being outside of time.

Regarding prayer, it is true that jesus answers every prayer. Every prayer being the ones that are selfless, and done with the intentions of helping others that themselves.They're answered in that you don't simply get what you asked for, but that god gives you the opportunity to earn what you asked for. To add to this your heart is see through and the lord already knows why you're asking or making a prayer.

Again this is why Christians and other need to accurately understand what is being said and to whom!

Jesus Christ was not addressing the general public he was telling his choose apostles how to ask for miraculous power and receive it!

This scripture in no way is an instruction for the general Christian to attempt to call down a miracle ! Only for apostles that Jesus had given miraculous power!

As stated above it is more of the person praying to God letting Him know that they buy into the whole "His will be done" thing.

Oh wait ..... An omniscient God would already know that.

When I pray for Gods will to be done, I am not encouraging Him to do what He wants, I am encouraging myself to embrace what He wants.

Peace, contentment and hope are ours when we are on the same page as Him.

That doesn't make any sense

If you don't ask, God won't do it. You have to ask.

Exactly right. Christians seem unable to understand this simple fact. Well, they seem unable to understand ANY fact.

prayer is for us, to be exxcercised in faith, that we might learn the way to the gifts of the spirit.

i think prayer helps us to gain the gift of prophecy and to learn to communicate in the spirit with the Holy Spirit of God, the Holy Ghost.

Another day another atheist misinterpreting scripture