Customer Reviews

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Prayer

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

by SMFran@aol.com

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.

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!

I know, I know. How good can a book on prayer be that's titled: "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Prayer"? Once you get past the fact that this title makes you and me the idiot, and once you get past the flippancy of the title, this book is a remarkably good introduction to prayer!

Prayer can mean so many different things to people, but The Complete Idiot's Guide rejects incorrect definitions of prayer and offers some good definitions of what Christian prayer is. Mark Galli is book editor for Christianity Today, and James Bell is an editorial director of Moody Press, so both have orthodox, evangelical credentials. The book is divided up into 6 parts with 33 chapters. The 6 parts are:

Let Us Pray (what prayer is, what it promises, and what it requires)
The Heart of Prayer (The Bible and Jesus, the Lord's Prayer)
Just Doing It (presents a wide variety of styles and kinds of prayers)
The Big Book on the Big Issues (praying the Psalms and Gospels, handling fear, handling distractions, suffering, etc.)
The Greatest Resources of All Time (mystical prayer, the Jesus Prayer, the Book of Common Prayer, singing prayer)
Praying with Others (small groups, free church tradition, prayer in the liturgical tradition)

As you can see from the topics covered above, this is actually a fairly comprehensive book on prayer. Galli and Bell write in a very simple, clear style, which is exactly what's needed in a beginning book like this. I'm very glad that the authors didn't focus on prayer as exclusively the individual praying in private but included liturgical and group prayer. The section of prayers from the Book of Common Prayer and the Morning devotional prayers at the back are also a welcome addition.

If you want to learn more about prayer or to be encouraged to pray more fully, then this book is a great place to start.

Whoever was put in charge of marketing for this one didn't follow their thought process to it's logical conclusion.

I love it.