The Complete Idiot's Guide to Prayer [Paperback]

Mark;Bell, James S. Galli (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1999 | ISBN-10: 0028631080 | ISBN-13: 978-0028631080

You're no idiot, of course. You fully understand the richness that meditative, thoughtful prayer can bring to your life. But when it comes to knowing what words to use to reach God--as well as how to begin your conversations--you feel like your burning bush will never even flicker. Don't close your prayer book yet! The Complete Idiot's Guide to Prayer, an enlightening primer, is here to handhold you through all aspects of spiritual communication. In this Complete Idiot's Guide, you get:

Product Details

• Paperback: 1 pages
• Publisher: Alpha Books (1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0028631080
• ISBN-13: 978-0028631080
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #763,187 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent for beginners and old-timers, March 25, 2000

By 

Mrs. Lois A. Denier - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Prayer (Paperback)

Have reviewed a number of books on prayer and they usually get too complicated and bogged down. This Idiot's Guide to Prayer is a refreshing look at a very old subject. I loved the simplicity without compromising integrity to the authority of Scripture.

Starting with a few basics, Galli and Bell then go on to look at The Lord's Prayer as a model but also an instruction on what prayer is really all about. The book includes several prayers for different occasions, takes a look at the Episcopal "Book of Common Prayer," and using the Psalms as part of our prayers.

I've chosen this book for an Adult Bible School Class on prayer, hoping to attract a number of people who think of themselves as novices or "idiots" on the subject of prayer. I'll also invite some people known for their prayer lives to participate in the class to help with the discussion and to possibly mentor people who are really struggling with prayer.

The central point I have so greatly appreciated is the authors' firm view that prayer is really only a part of our relationship with God.

22 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Complete Idiot's Guide to Prayer, April 3, 2000

By 

SMFran Gangloff (Buffalo, NY, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Prayer (Paperback)

by [e-mail]

It had to happen sooner or later, I suppose. Just about every topic is getting its Complete Idiot's Guide. I have one on Angels, another on Internet. My niece has one on cooking. And now they've (the publisher) sent me one - on prayer - The Complete Idiot's Guide to Prayer, by Mark Galli and James S. Bell, Jr. (Alpha Books / Macmillan USA, Inc., 1999, softcover) In 33 chapters spread over six parts, the book takes the reader through ideas about prayer as talking with God and into prayers like the Our Father and the Jesus Prayer and using the Psalms and the Gospels for prayer. With a very readable style and format, the book provides those little blurbs common to the "Idiot's Guide" - in this case - Prayer Pearls from the Good Book, When You Haven't Got a Prayer, Meanings and Gleanings, and Prayer Hotline. Drawing content mostly from Jewish / Christian traditions and sources, the book's authors also delve into mystical prayer, liturgical prayer, singing prayer, and praying with others. These authors give suggestions for distractions, doubts, even "dark night of the soul" in prayer. Two appendixes offer formulated prayers for many situations. Meant as a primer, the book can assist anyone at any prayer level toward meaningful meditation and a prayer-integrated life.

27 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BLESSINGS BLESSINGS BLESSINGS!!!, February 5, 2008

By 

Chris Ward (Costa Rica) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Prayer (Mass Market Paperback)

Thanks to this book I have honed my prayer skills to a laser precision! I can pray faster and with less effort, but to greater effect than ever before! I have prayed for and received food, clothing, vacations, discounts at restaurants and service stations, and I have partially disabled legions of America's enemies in foreign lands! Coffee tastes better, sleep is more restful, and my television reception is crisper and clearer, without costly HDTV add-ons! Prayer does it all-- but you must do it RIGHT! Read this book and reap the BLESSINGS!!! Note: I am NOT insane!