ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the argument that an understanding of petitionary and intercessory prayer belongs within the Christian doctrine of the providence of God, and that it is, indeed, a sub-heading under that overall subject. A helpful modern interpretation of the concept of divine providence is that given by Michael Langford. He uses a six-fold model: the creative activity of God; the sustaining activity of God; God's action as final cause; the activity known as general providence; the activity known as special providence; and the miraculous. Theistic faith, he continues, also requires a view of providence as the activity of a personal God. No study of modern theological thought can ignore the work of Karl Barth in whose thought all doctrines are worked out in relation to God's decree and eternal election of human beings in Jesus Christ.
