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Prayer: Communicating With GOD, Connecting With Heaven And Changing The World... by Abraham Peters
stephaniesteen73's review against another edition
4.0
I loved how Yancey systematically tackles questions about prayer in the matter of an objective journalist - presenting evidence, exposing apparent inconsistencies or problems, highlighting the experience of other Christians, reaching tentative conclusions, but then, in the end, acknowledging that much of this is a mystery. People may differ on technique, frequency, perceived impact, but in the end, no matter how difficult we make it, prayer is a simple concept: "keeping company with God."
bethanna_hobbs's review against another edition
5.0
As someone who has grown up with faith and very much claimed it as my own, prayer has been the one area of faith that I have struggled with. What about unanswered prayer? what about when I can’t hear anything? Does God even care about the mundane parts of my life? Can he change the course of big events? What’s the point if he already knows what I’m going to say?
I’ve found this book incredibly helpful at answering all of the above and more. Almost every page has parts highlighted and I have annotated on pages. It has engaged me in a different way and my approach to prayer as a result is much improved. Very readable and a helpful resource. I will be dipping in and out of this book for many months if not years to come.
I’ve found this book incredibly helpful at answering all of the above and more. Almost every page has parts highlighted and I have annotated on pages. It has engaged me in a different way and my approach to prayer as a result is much improved. Very readable and a helpful resource. I will be dipping in and out of this book for many months if not years to come.
khornstein1's review against another edition
3.0
The answer is "maybe" and it takes the author 342 pages to get there. It took me two years to get through this book. Where was the editor?
Yes, prayer does make a difference: that would have been a better theme. Then the author could have discussed the difference it makes to the pray-er, those prayed for, and to G*d. He could have talked about different ways to pray without devoting several chapters to..."you can pray informally, like talking to a friend.." yes, I get it!
And then there is another issue in the book which just gets wrapped into the context of prayer: why do bad things happen? This subject is tackled brilliantly in the 148 page "When Bad Things Happen to Good People." Here, the response is meandering.
I kind of have an issue with the "well, it's a Christian book," so we should just embrace it and not worry about editing. And you might as well check your brains at the door as well.
Philip Yancey seems like a very nice man and he was kind to collect everyone's prayer stories, but even these are sprinkled throughout the book and sometimes are not even relevant to the chapter at hand. A lot of good things to say but they could be much better organized.
Yes, prayer does make a difference: that would have been a better theme. Then the author could have discussed the difference it makes to the pray-er, those prayed for, and to G*d. He could have talked about different ways to pray without devoting several chapters to..."you can pray informally, like talking to a friend.." yes, I get it!
And then there is another issue in the book which just gets wrapped into the context of prayer: why do bad things happen? This subject is tackled brilliantly in the 148 page "When Bad Things Happen to Good People." Here, the response is meandering.
I kind of have an issue with the "well, it's a Christian book," so we should just embrace it and not worry about editing. And you might as well check your brains at the door as well.
Philip Yancey seems like a very nice man and he was kind to collect everyone's prayer stories, but even these are sprinkled throughout the book and sometimes are not even relevant to the chapter at hand. A lot of good things to say but they could be much better organized.
jfkaess's review against another edition
5.0
Outstanding. Asks the hard questions, and answers some of them. Open and transparent. Full of practical insights.
crazy_mr_earl's review against another edition
4.0
An honest look at the discipline of player. Yancey addresses the tough questions head on and provides readers with solid guidelines for deepening the conversation with God. I liked the personal vignettes included, seems I liked his voice, vulnerable and honest... not a hint of piety. A bit repetitive in the last quarter of the book, but still a worthwhile read for anyone looking to strengthen his/her relationship with God.
gadfly82's review against another edition
3.0
If you're looking for an answer to the question posed on the cover of this book, prepare to be let down. Philip Yancey in this book on prayer takes the reader on a journey, not to find answers, but to find the right questions. I think this book is a great tool for those of us who struggle with prayer, but have just never really been able to put into words WHY. Yancey's book, for me, marked the starting point for me: the beginning of a quest to understand the mysteries of prayer.
davehershey's review against another edition
4.0
Philip Yancey is a great writer whose books are able to reach a large audience with depth. This book is no different, a thoughtful discussion on prayer. Yancey does not claim to be an expert and he covers a variety of topics related to prayer. I would recommend this book for any Christian seeking to be grow in their prayer life.
rifow1's review against another edition
5.0
I am not that big into christian discipleship books, as I often find them unhelpful - often because they seem to try and talk about the same five issues that I already have heard a thousand things about. However, this book not only was a breathe of fresh air in that regard, but it also managed to really hit the issues that I personally have wrestled with time and time again. In this regard Yancey seems to have read my mind and written specifically for me. I am sure I am not the only one who felt like that reading this book and that is because Yancey is amazing at validating difficult questions and truly opening them up to scrutiny. He also writes in such a kind and gentle way whilst consistently holding the truth in high regard. If you have questions about prayer that you can't find any answer to, I think Yancey is a great place to explore this topic and possibly come away with satisfying answers to these real questions.
doublearon4321's review against another edition
5.0
I enjoyed Reading this book. It made me look inside myself and what I think of the whole idea of prayer. Prayer to me is like a phone line to God.
Communication with God does it help? Read this book and hear some amazing examples of where it helped and where it seemed not to.
Communication with God does it help? Read this book and hear some amazing examples of where it helped and where it seemed not to.