A responsible pastor must have a theology of prayer that goes beyond churchy axioms, pious clichés, pop theology, and Bible verses proof texted from the King James Bible.

An authentic theology of prayer must offer hope in the promise that God answers prayer, but it must also be prepared to respond to the questions of those whose prayers “availeth not.” We must be, at once, ready to celebrate with those whose cancer went into remission and to weep with those whose cancer didn’t, when both persons’ prayers were equally frequent, fervent, and sincere. Our theology of prayer must address the disappointment of those who prayed passionately and endlessly that their child would recover from the injuries incurred in an automobile accident but watched their child die nonetheless. And it must address…