Why We Pray

Understanding Prayer in the Context of Cosmic Conflict

Finalist, Christianity Today Academic Theology Book of the Year. If God is all-powerful, all-knowing, and entirely good, why do we need to ask God to do good things? Won't God act for the best regardless? Do our prayers even make a difference? Why do some go unanswered? This brief, accessible book provides a fresh angle on our questions to help us think differently about why we pray and what happens when we pray.

John Peckham applies the insights from his successful book Theodicy of Love to the perennial problem of petitionary prayer, offering practical implications for how we might pray and live in ways that advance God's kingdom of unselfish love. Since our understanding of petitionary prayer is inseparable from our understanding of God, Peckham sheds significant light on the nature and character of God and the often-mysterious workings of divine providence. He does so by bringing theological and philosophical nuance to readings of key biblical texts on prayer, weaving in other scriptural clues to articulate an understanding of prayer that highlights not only its necessity but also its urgency. This book will appeal to students, pastors, church leaders, and thoughtful laypeople.

©2024 John C. Peckham (P)2026 John C. Peckham

Perplexing Prayer Questions Answered

Peckham provides a coherent and comprehensive treatment to questions many Christians privately struggle with concerning prayer.

Does praying actually change anything?
If God already knows everything and is all-powerful, and perfectly loving, why should anyone need to pray for a particular outcome?
Would a loving God withhold blessings if we don't properly pray for them?
Why does it seem like a dice roll to access providential intervention in life circumstances: "sometimes He will, sometimes He won't"?
Is unanswered prayer evidence that the petition or the petitioner is defective, sinful, unbelieving or unworthy in some way?
Are there limits to what God can or will do in response to prayer?

This approchable yet scholarly discourse on prayer can help bring peace and understanding to anyone trying to "fugure out" prayer.