Prayer

First let me say this: ‘Wow, what a great book!’  

If you have a small selection of books on a shelf in the living room for you to share with friends or just refer to at your leisure (mine include cycle rides around the South East), then this book would be a super addition. I think I enjoyed it so much because it is very comprehensive, challenging, insightful and easy to read. However, even better than that, it has the potential to help shape and freshen your prayer life and give you a deepened desire to encounter our God in a more intimate way.  

To set the scene, first the writer looks at the theory behind prayer, quoting from great preachers and writers from days gone by including Calvin, Augustine and Luther. Central to this section is how Keller links their thoughts to the most important example of prayer given in the bible ‘The Lord’s Prayer’. Keller looks at the stanzas from this prayer one at a time and expounds them wonderfully showing how we can incorporate the Lord’s prayer everyday in our personal prayer time.  

Having laid down the foundations, Keller continues giving more details on lots of different aspects of prayer including; listening to God, meditating on His word, submitting to His will and seeking His presence. For me personally, when I look at lots of theory about a concept, I sometimes struggle to even begin to put it into practise. However, this book really helps with the ‘how to do it’ part, giving ideas and examples on plans for daily prayer.  

I would definitely recommend every Christian to read this book and then put it into practise. I fully admit that the first part is easier than the second due to many pressures and daily struggles. My prayer for this year is that by God’s grace and through Jesus Christ, our wonderful Lord and Saviour, I will continue to pray and seek His guidance through His word. I pray this for you too.  

One quote from Timothy Keller’s book: ​ “Prayer is simply the key to everything we need to do and be in life.” “We must learn to pray. We have to.”

Adrian Davies