Why We Pray - by John C Peckham

About the Book

This accessible and carefully argued book wrestles with the perennial problem of petitionary prayer by placing it within the larger context of the Bible's cosmic conflict motif.

Book Synopsis

Christianity Today 2025 Book Award Finalist (Academic Theology)

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.

From the Back Cover

"A deeply moving and profoundly theological case for prayer"

This accessible and carefully argued book wrestles with the perennial problem of petitionary prayer by placing it within the larger context of the Bible's cosmic conflict motif.

"A deeply moving and profoundly theological case for prayer. Peckham makes sense of the conundrum of unanswered prayer, describing the parameters that impact the hearing and answering of our prayers. Every Christian, indeed everyone contemplating a conversation with God, will be enlightened by this important work."
--Ingrid Faro, Northern Seminary

"In this outstanding discussion of petitionary prayer, Peckham reassures us that prayer really does make a difference. Readers will learn much from Peckham's rich theological treatment of prayer. And more than that, they will be inspired to pray!"
--Kevin Kinghorn, Asbury Theological Seminary

"From discussing simple prayers on our own behalf to prayers for catastrophic events to what might be termed 'warfare prayer' on a cosmic spiritual level, Peckham runs the gamut of possible philosophical arguments for and against the necessity of prayer--especially why a good, omniscient, and all-powerful God needs our prayers to act in any dimension at all."
--Esther E. Acolatse, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary

"Lucidly written and normed by Scripture, this book explains why we pray if God is all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-loving. I found myself both challenged and encouraged by Peckham's stimulating engagement with prayer. Most of all, I found myself wanting to pray more, which is a testament to the theological task and to this work specifically."
--Christa L. McKirland, Carey Baptist College; executive director, Logia International

"It is not every book of serious theology that leaves one eager to pray, but this one does--not by admonition but by fundamentally shifting our view of God and how he works in the world."
--Michael Lloyd, Wycliffe Hall Oxford

"Peckham tackles a series of fundamental questions that I and many others have about the nature of prayer and our disappointments with it. He approaches these puzzles with a pastoral sensitivity that is both theologically astute and scripturally infused."
--David B. Capes, director, Lanier Theological Library

About the Author

John C. Peckham (PhD, Andrews University) is research professor of theology and Christian philosophy at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan. His numerous books include Divine Attributes: Knowing the Covenantal God of Scripture, Theodicy of Love: Cosmic Conflict and the Problem of Evil, and The Love of God: A Canonical Model, a 2015 Readers' Choice Award winner. He received educator of the year awards in 2012 (Southwestern Adventist University) and 2016 (Andrews) for his teaching and scholarship.