A Philosophical Analysis of Petitionary Prayer
Abstract
In this paper, I present a philosophical analysis of petitionary prayer, from the
perspective of one who engages in petitionary prayer on a regular basis. This
paper looks at the basis for petitionary prayer from the Bible and some traditional
thoughts and practices associated with it from the church. Primarily, this paper
addresses those concerns that are raised against the practice of petitionary prayer.
I call these “philosophical problems” with petitionary prayer. I address these
three, the problem of free will/divine providence, the problem of hiddenness, and
the problem of God’s goodness, all in relation to this practice of petitionary
prayer. Through this paper, I hope to show that none of these are problems when
addressed from the right context, through the grace of Jesus Christ. It is only by
his grace that we can see the perfect light that is revealed in petitionary prayer.