Prayer

Reviews

'...one of the many small evidences of this book's forcefulness is the number of times I did put it down -- the number of times I interrupted my reading because I was inspired to pray....[This] is the rare book about prayer that, rather than inadvertently distracting me from the pursuit of a praying life, actually prompts me to pray....' '..a new and powerful effort....Philip Yancey asks the tough questions about prayer that many are afraid to ask....Yancey writes as a friend and fellow-struggler, giving voice to the questions we may ponder but never bring up....This questioning process...inspires us to pursue prayer more earnestly....[This book] will encourage you as you meet with God daily and bring the details of your life before Him. You'll develop a stronger prayer vocabulary and a richer sense of the mystery and joy of prayer....' '...theological substance, quality of biblical reflection, and readability...make it accessible even to those coming to faith, Bible reading, or prayer for the first time....Yancey writes more as a journalist, with a sharp eye for detail and an investigative unwillingness to force conclusions....One of the chief benefits of Philip Yancey's work is that he'll go where the evidence leads....' '[Prayer] is well researched, captivating, and meets the reader right where he/she is at in the moment....If you are like me and have difficulties in praying then this book is a must for you.' 'Philip Yancey is that rare example of a self-proclaimed recovering fundamentalists who is actually a spiritually healthy human being.' 'Gently and with intelligence and compassion, Yancey works toward a vision of prayer as a kind of 'awkward rehersal' and, ultimately, toward the kind of conversation humankind had with God at the beginning of creation.' 'Philip Yancey has done it again: taken a much-written-about topic and infused it with freshness and deeply mined relevancy....This is a valuable read for anyone: youth worker, pastor, parent, mature teen -- anyone.' '...the author's exploration of the topic includes a candid assessment of his own sense of failure, along with his growing sense of wonder at the possibliities of conversation with God....' '...Yancey writes...as a journalist, with a sharp eye for detail and an investigative unwillingness to force conclusions. Chapters are short, but brimming with juice. Stories abound. Part of the time, Yancey just wonders about prayer. And Yancey...is a mighty fine wonderer.... '...the experience of reading 'Prayer' is similar to the experience of prayer itself: a meandering journey with streaks of brillance, communion, illumination, and satisfaction....'Prayer' is a reader-friendly book, peppered with vignettes and sidebars from people attesting to the power of prayer....[It] is subtle, elusive, and evanescent, inviting readers to discern their own meaning....'Prayer' can help reinvigorate a prayer life. It invites us to believe that God is listening.' 'Yancey strikes a moving chord with this book that is more full of yearning and wonder than it is of easy answers....[It's] suffused with a cautious hope....The book's strength lies in its balance, with Yancey holding equally important ideals in a beautiful tension...' 'Yancey's combination of talent, research, and openness about his own struggles make 'Prayer' worth looking into if you...have ever felt frustrated with your prayer life.' '...a reader-friendly book...subtle, elusive, and evanescent, inviting readers to discern their own meaning....'Prayer' can help reinvigorate a prayer life. It invites us to believe that God is listening. 'Philip Yancey approaches the mysteries of communicating with God in this thoroughly researched yet highly accessible book....[He] skillfully interweaves Scripture with insights from Christian thinkers of many traditions, cultures, and eras....Fresh anecdotes and relevant testimonies of ordinary people give the book a compelling quality.' 'He knows that the main purpose of prayer is not to make life easier, but to know God.' '...offers readers' compelling insights about the topic of prayer, exploring the mysterious intersection where God and humans meet and relate....' Expand reviews