The book Why We Pray: Understanding Prayer in the Context of Cosmic Conflict, written by John Peckham, associate editor at the Adventist Review and research professor of theology and Christian philosophy at Andrews University, was recently recognized as one of the top works in academic theology in the 2024 Christianity Today Book Awards. In his book, Peckham addresses many of the complex and complicated questions surrounding prayer and communication with God. Although made for an academic setting, Why We Pray is intentionally written to be accessible to all who are interested in matters of theology.

Why We Pray addresses various prayer-related questions from a biblical perspective and by incorporating insights from Peckham’s previous book, Theodicy of Love: Cosmic Conflict and the Problem of Evil. Why We Pray is broken up into six sections that look at different aspects of prayer. Peckham discusses the necessity of petitionary prayer, understanding the God individuals pray to, the Lord’s Prayer, the rules and potential problems that can be encountered with petitionary prayer, seemingly unanswered prayers, and praying when God seems hidden. 

Peckham shares that while he covered some of these topics briefly in his previous book, Divine Attributes: Knowing the Covenantal God of Scripture, he was motivated to explore prayer more deeply by some of his students. “I talked about it a little bit in class, and I had ideas,” Peckham said. “I would like to do some work on the so-called problem of petitionary prayer because a lot of people have questions about how prayer works.” 

Peckham adds that he has contemplated the complexities of prayers ever since his childhood. “I was a PK, a pastor’s kid,” Peckham said. “I remember people praying that God would heal a sick person. ‘Please, God, heal this person if it is Your will.’ And I remember thinking to myself, Well, why wouldn’t it be God’s will to heal His servant?

Although it took time, Peckham came to better understand God’s providence and how He communicates with people. This understanding motivated Peckham to share his knowledge and advice with others. He notes, “It’s published [as an academic book], but I tried to write it very accessibly so that any student or layperson would be able to read it and understand it and grasp it.”

Peckham draws from a career in theology and academia. He received his Master of Divinity and Ph.D. in systematic theology from the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University. He served as a pastor in the Indiana Conference and taught at Southwestern Adventist University before he rejoined Andrews University as a faculty member in the seminary in 2013. He has since received numerous awards for excellence in teaching and research. Peckham is also the main contributor to this quarter’s Adult Bible Study Guide for the Seventh-day Adventist World Church and currently serves as an associate editor of the Adventist Review. 

When the Christianity Today Book Awards were announced, Peckham was surprised. “I found out the day that they released it on their website,” he shared. “It’s a great honor and a privilege. The Christianity Today Book Awards are among the most, if not the most, prestigious book awards that one could be awarded in the area of theology. So the fact that they named my book as a finalist for academic theology book of the year was just very humbling and very much appreciated and very encouraging.”

Peckham already has plans for his next book with Baker Academic, which will be released in 2026. “It’s about Jesus’ ministry as our high priest and the context of the cosmic conflict,” he said. Peckham also has several other smaller writing projects planned in addition to his continued teaching responsibilities. 

Founded in 1874, Andrews University is an institution of higher education for the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Its main campus is in Berrien Springs, Michigan.

The original article was published on the Andrews University website.