Why do so many of us turn to prayer when life gets difficult—whether for healing, safety, or even a sports victory? Petitionary prayer, the act of asking God for something, feels deeply human. But it also raises a profound paradox: if God is perfect, unchanging, and all-knowing, how could a simple human request alter His plan?

In this episode, we explore the philosophical puzzle of prayer and perfection. Can prayer really move God—or does it change us instead? We’ll look at three major responses: prayer as self-transformation, prayer as part of God’s eternal plan, and the radical idea that maybe God isn’t “perfect” in the way philosophy has long assumed.

If you’ve ever wondered whether your prayers are heard, or how they might fit into a larger vision of the divine, this episode offers fresh insight into one of faith’s deepest questions.