The Book and its Topic
Philip Yancey’s award-winning Prayer is best described as a journey. A difficult journey, into tough and demanding territory. He searches for an age-old answer. Does time spent on your knees make any difference?
I do not want to spoil your reading fun, but he does arrive at an answer. It makes a difference! Now if you have cancer and have been praying for healing to no avail, without receiving an answer or any form of deliverance, you might want to stone me for that comment.
But could it be that the time spent on your knees (or flat on your face) gave you the courage to carry on? Could that be whu you are still here?
Answers come in a variety of ways...
Philip has a style of writing that resembles a personal struggle with the subject matter. He is honest and has an ability to open his heart and that of others on the subject. That is why I describe the book as a journey. Philip does not pretend to have any answers, but he does invite you to explore with him.
He includes in the book comments from a vast array of fellow prayers, some with better feedback than others. It is raw, honest opinions of anonymous fellows. If nothing else, these comments give one an insight into the attempts of a world to reach a Creator who they believe exists. They just can’t get communication running smoothly.
He gives glimpses into what is possible. Struggling with God, and hearing a small voice deep inside answer. Was it God?
This is one of my favorite sub-subjects on prayer, because I one day discovered that I was hearing what could be responses. After long deliberation, I came to the realization that it was God. It is a truly exciting day indeed when you discover that God is taking the time to talk to you. Yes, even to me...
Read the Power Quote below for a small excerpt on this.
Philip first looks at the mystery of this habit of ours. Not only is our faith one big mystery, but conversation and relationship with our Father proves to be no less mysterious. Is that why we enjoy it?
He then moves on... What language should we use when praying? Philip discusses this at length, and comes forth with some insightful conclusions.
Before moving to the practice itself which he discusses as a neat conclusion, Philip does something disturbing. He stops to take a long hard look at prayer dilemmas. Not my favorite section of the book, but more on that later.
All-in-all, Philip’s book is a worthy read. It is long, but worth the effort. We all find ourselves wondering (if not earnestly experimenting), if this activity of speaking to a seemingly far-off Creator makes a difference. For that reason, this should be a book for everyone.
BookDisciple.com Power Quote
“As I persist at prayer, I recognise an answering partner who takes up the other side of the dialogue, a kind of internal alter ego representing God’s point of view. When I want revenge, this partner reminds me of forgiveness; when obsessed with my own selfish needs, I am struck with the needs of others. Suddenly I realise I am not talking to myself in this inner dialogue. The Spirit of God is praying with me, communicating the will of the Father.
‘My secret is a very simple one: I pray,’ wrote Mother Theresa of Calcutta, a modern master of the skill:
Prayer is simply talking to God.
He speaks to us: we listen.
We speak to him: he listens.
A two-way process:
Speaking and listening.
Learning to dialogue with God will never end because we are unequal partners, God and I. Admitting that, bowing before it, helps open my ears. Pursuing God despite the differences helps open my mouth, and then my heart.” – Prayer, p.56.
So, how does it read?
A bit of a struggle! Like the process which is the subject of the book, and finding your feet in it, reading the book is no easy task. If you read my reviews regularly, you will see that I especially like short books with strong messages.
This book has a strong message...
But, it is a long and thick book. Initially I was going pretty well, but then it slowed down. My concentration was not there anymore, and the reading started feeling like work. Not a good sign! Sadly, I had to force myself to get through Part 4: Prayer Dilemmas.
I guess I just didn’t enjoy hearing about other people’s struggles with something I try to enjoy. And please I am not saying this because I am proud or thinking that I am better than anyone... I might just be privileged not to have experienced the sheer horror of situations they faced, or the immense struggles they encountered.
Much like I don’t like arguing with my wife about why bad things happen in the world when a good God is in charge. I have certain views and I have made up my mind, therefore it annoys me when others cannot feel like I do. It is narrow-mindedness, and I confess it.
I know this is wrong... but I am just being honest.
Was it worth the trouble of getting through a thick and sometimes hard book? Yes, it undoubtedly was. The book could have been a lot shorter, but I still learned some new perspectives, and grew in reflection on some perspectives I already held.
My time with God is close to my favorite pastime (although impatience to start the day sometime robs me of my joy), so reading a very informative and thorough book on the subject definitely helped me and encouraged me.
What did this book mean to me personally?
Sometimes this book forced me onto my knees. Thinking and reading about the subject helps you see the benefit of it, and even awakens a desire for another session. It sometimes drove me to take my journal out of my briefcase, and write something in it. Something to remember for my next appointment with my Father...
But, most of all, this book gave me a new revelation. Spending time with God does not change my circumstances or that of others nearly as much as it changes me.
If I pray for a friend, my relationship with that friend is likely to improve, deepen and I might even get to share conversation about God. If I pray for something I want, and God has other plans, I might shortly realize that it doesn’t bother me anymore, or I am keen on another outcome altogether.
Sometimes spending time with God just helps me cope with my difficulties. I can pray for something, and not see any change. But after every time I would feel better – I would be more productive, and worry less. Maybe that is why Jesus invites us to leave our bothers with Him...
Conclusion
This book is a journey of discovery. Yes, it is very thick and I wish it wasn’t. But that’s just me. Maybe God wanted it this thick, and I am just being difficult... And, yes, this review is not much shorter!
It is a good book to read. You will learn and start looking at this daily task in a different light.
I dearly hope that some lights go on for you as it did for me. We are all on a lifelong journey with God, and learning to hear from Him helps an enormous deal. Maybe it is something we should pursue more diligently?
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