Considering A Praying Life

While I was at General Assembly, See Jesus provided a free copy of A Praying Life discussion guide.  I had been wanting to read the book, and a friend graciously & generously purchased me a copy of A Praying Life by Paul Miller (it’s also available in audio book form).

I still haven’t read the book, but am hoping to use either the book or the PrayerLife interactive Bible Study for our Community Groups.  Since I’m wrapping up some preparation for my seminar on Adoption: The Greatest Adventure, I decided to visit Steve Brown Etc. since I haven’t been there in quite some time.  It’s okay, Steve might forgive me.  For being away for so long, and for coming back.  He recently interviewed Paul about the book and prayer.  It is an interesting discussion.  One of Paul’s best statements was:

“My resistance to prayer is my resistance to grace.”

Here is Steve’s blurb on the book:

“What a refreshing book! If you’re tired of religious prayer games and rote prayers that stop at the ceiling or if you have suspected that God was on vacation somewhere, this book will change your life. And if you’re thinking about giving up on prayer, don’t! At least not until you’ve read this book. When you have, you’ll thank me for recommending it to you.”

Here are some more endorsements:

“This is as fine a book on prayer that you will ever read, but it is so much more. It is the story of our struggle to actually live like we believe that our Heavenly father really does love us. If we did, nothing could keep us from being committed to the day by day hard work of prayer. Paul exegetes our struggle in a way that is convicting, insight giving and encouraging. This is a book on prayer that actually makes you want to pray!”
– Paul David Tripp

“Paul Miller refuses to separate the spiritual life from the rest of our daily living. In A Praying Life, he shows the difference that constant communication with Christ makes in the everyday experiences of life, especially the life of the family. Reading this book will help you make prayer a more important part of your own life story by integrating prayer into the daily routines of life.”
– Dr. Philip Ryken, Senior Minister, Tenth Presbyterian Church

“A Praying Life is a deeply moving testimony to God’s power in prayer. Paul Miller shares his life and biblical wisdom to instill in us, his readers, a “heart that becomes a factory of prayer” – that is, a passion to speak to God honestly and in a way that will change our life and the lives of others for whom we pray.”
– Tremper Longman III

“In my library, I have perhaps twenty different volumes on prayer, but none has so captured my heart or propelled me into fresh communion with our Father as much as A Praying Life. Finally, a book that applies the radical implications of the gospel of God’s grace to prayer! With childlike wonder, sage-like wisdom, and heartfelt candor, Paul shows us that to pray is to see Jesus more clearly and meet him more regularly in every single aspect and moment of the day. Thanks, my friend, for calling me back to what really matters.”
– Scotty Smith, Pastor for Worship, Preaching and Teaching, Christ Community Church

“Charles Spurgeon wrote, “Prayer does not fit us for the greater works; prayer is the greater work.” Paul Miller’s superb book calls us back to this “greater work”, reminding us of the joy we find in our Lord’s presence and equipping us with practical insight on how to recapture the intimacy and power of A Praying Life.”
– Ken Sande, President, Peacemaker Ministries

“Many books on prayer simply make you feel guilty about your prayer life. Here is a book that has the potential to actually improve your prayer life. I found it helpful.”
– Paul Kooistra, PhD, Director, Mission to the World

“Prayer, the concept and the practice, exposes our core doubts and desperation for God. Most books on prayer leave me addled or angry – this is not a domain for cowards who ignore the simplicity of prayer or manipulators who provide a surefire methodology for making our desires happen. Paul Miller captures the promise of prayer as a gift that connects us to the heart of the Father and as a path for transforming the world. Paul Miller’s honest struggle with living a life full of prayer and his childlike delight in hearing the heart of God invites us to gratitude and calls us to speak boldly to our God. This book will be like having the breath of God at your back. Let it lift you to new hope.”
– Dan Allender