The author of "Theodicy of Love" explores the problem of petitionary prayer in "Why We Pray: Understanding Prayer in the Context of Cosmic Conflict," a relatively quick read that somehow still also takes a deep dive into questions many questions have asked and others have thought but been afraid to ask.

If God is all-powerful, all-knowing, and entirely good, why do we need to ask God to do good things? Why do some prayers go unanswered? Do our prayers really make a difference?

In short, John C. Peckham looks at why we pray and what happens when we pray. Despite "Why We Pray" being a relatively short and quick read, it's not filled with easy answers or the usual formulaic responses to these questions. Instead, we get a thoughtful, well-informed, and theologically grounded discussion about these questions that mystify. Did I necessarily agree with all of Peckham's conclusions? Nope, but I deeply appreciated his discussions, observations, and invitations to wrestle with prayer and more reasons to commit myself to it.

So many books that try to approach this topic take a lighter, more inspirational route. Peckham does a Scriptural deep dive that I believe will resonate with Christians across the theological spectrum. "Why We Pray" is both deeply felt and theologically satisfying. Peckham directly addresses the issue of unanswered prayers, not the Garth Brooks type, and paints a wonderful portrait of a God who is impacted by our words and actions and in relationship with us.

In short, Peckham strongly creates an argument that prayer really does make a difference and discusses how cosmic conflict is actually essential. I was struck by just how much I felt I had learned, or been challenged to learn by "Why We Pray" and also how inspired to learn and pray I became by the end.

Written by Richard Propes
The Independent Critic