Prayer, Mystery, and Suffering: What Is Prayer Really For?

What if prayer isn't just about getting answers? Mike and Kevin take on one of the most raw, painful, and universal questions in the life of faith: why pray when it doesn't seem to change anything? In this vulnerable episode, they dive deep into an honest question from a listener experiencing unimaginable grief and crisis of faith following the sudden death of his mother and a devastating cancer diagnosis for his father. Drawing from scripture, theology, personal experience, and the teachings of Dallas Willard, the conversation explores the nature of prayer, suffering, and trust in a God whose ways are often mysterious—but never distant. Key Takeaways: • Prayer as Participation, Not Transaction – Understanding prayer as part of our vocation to co-rule and create with God, not just a way to get our requests answered. • Training for Reigning – How spiritual disciplines including prayer shape us for God's future kingdom and teach us to be trustworthy with power. • Does Prayer Really Change Things? – Wrestling with what the Bible means when it says things like "you have not because you ask not," and what that implies about God's interaction with our prayers. • The Mystery of Unanswered Prayer – Confronting the painful, disorienting reality when the faithful suffer or prayers seem ignored—and why simplistic answers (e.g. lack of faith or "God's plan") fall flat. • Lament as Faith – How wrestling with God and staying in relationship—even in doubt—is itself a form of deep trust. Resources Mentioned: • James 5:16 – "The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." • Dallas Willard – Writings on spiritual disciplines and the kingdom of God • Revelation 21–22 – A vision of the restored vocation of humanity in God's future kingdom • The Book of Job – A profound reflection on undeserved suffering and unsatisfying answers • Daniel 10 – A mysterious glimpse into spiritual warfare and delayed answers to prayer • Previous Voxology Episodes on Suffering, Hell, and God's Will – VoxologyPodcast.com Join the conversation, wrestle with the hard questions, and rediscover the purpose of prayer not as a means to an end—but as a pathway to deep relationship, trust, and spiritual formation. Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone navigating prayer, doubt, or grief. We always welcome questions or reflections: email [email protected] Engage with us on Facebook and Instagram. Watch full episodes on VOXOLOGY TV Grab sweet merch at VOXOLOGY's Etsy Store Subscribe to the Voxology Podcast on iTunes or Spotify Support us on Patreon Check out curated content playlists on the Voxology Spotify channel Follow @voxologypodcast on Instagram Like us on Facebook Follow Mike on X (Twitter): @mikeerre Music by Timothy John Stafford Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy As always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Feel free to email in questions to [email protected], and to engage the conversation on Facebook and Instagram. We're on YouTube (if you're into that kinda thing): VOXOLOGY TV. Our Merch Store! ETSY Learn more about the Voxology Podcast Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify Support the Voxology Podcast on Patreon The Voxology Spotify channel can be found here: Voxology Radio Follow us on Instagram: @voxologypodcast and "like" us on Facebook Follow Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerre Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy