Daring to Draw Near: People in Prayer (IVP Classics) [Paperback]

John White (Author), Marva J. Dawn (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 13, 2007 | Series: IVP Classics

Prayers are windows--windows on eternity. Through the prayers in the Bible we look into the profoundest issues of life and death, and the deepest longings of our own hearts. And we learn about the God to whom we pray, the one who wants to talk with us, the one who takes the initiative in our relationship with him. In this classic book on prayer, John White helps us listen to Abraham plead for Sodom and Gomorrah. We watch Jacob wrestle with the Angel of the Lord. We hear David confess his sin. We also see him dance before the ark of the covenant. We hear Hannah ask for a child. Finally, John White shows how Jesus' prayers on the cross present a model for facing our last hours as well. The ten prayers in this book will take you near to the holy one of the universe, the personal God of each person in the world.

Product Details

• Paperback: 197 pages
• Publisher: IVP Books (December 13, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830834109
• ISBN-13: 978-0830834105
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #815,267 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

John White was born in Liverpool, England, on March 5, 1924, and grew up in Manchester. After serving as a reconnaissance photographer in the Fleet Air Arms during World War II, he completed medical training at Manchester University. He later participated in a variety of short-term missions efforts (including Bible smuggling!) and captitalized on many opportunities to encourage Christians behind the Iron Curtain during the beginning of the Cold War.

On June 25, 1955, White married Laureate May O'Hara. From 1955 to 1964 he served as a medical missionary with New Tribes Mission. Later he was appointed associate general secretary of the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students of Latin America.

White emigrated to Canada with his family in 1965 and later completed his residency in psychiatry in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He next filled the post of associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Manitoba and also served locally as pastor of Church of the Way.

He wrote 25 books as well as numerous articles and study guides. A much sought-after speaker, he lectured around the world at churches, conferences and leadership events. During his later life, White moved to Vancouver, British Columbia, helping to plant a Vineyard church there (Surrey Vineyard) and becoming involved in the larger Vineyard Christian Fellowship.

John White died in 2002, but his written ministry lives on, with over 1.5 million of his books in print.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fresh look at prayer, August 23, 1998

By 

Rachelle Ankney "Quiet Reader" (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Daring to Draw Near: People in Prayer (Paperback)

Much of the current attitude about prayer left me confused and discouraged, leading me to believe that prayer changes God and that I simply need to "pray harder" if I'm struggling. Mr. White's book, however, by looking at prayers recorded in the Bible, reaffirmed that our prayers are an important response to an unchanging God. Rather than taking a flippant view of the struggles behind some of these great prayers, he addressed them honestly and in context with other Scripture. Of course, it is good to have a clear understanding of prayer, but this book has played a role in my walk which has been even more important: it has encouraged me to pray more and more.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Life-Changing Book, March 28, 2001

By 

Bethany McKinney (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Daring to Draw Near: People in Prayer (Paperback)

This is, without question, the best book on prayer I have ever read. It has dramatically altered the way I pray, both in terms of what things I pray about, and what I expect from God during the exchange. John White is a masterful writer who does not shy away from pointing out what our personal weaknesses might be in our prayer lives. He speaks truth boldy. While reading this book I often felt convicted and saw the need for a transformation of how I pray. Daring to Draw Near will show how our prayers should be more God-centered than they probably are, and that they should be more focused on prayers for "our people" and our community. We are challenged to be honest in our prayers about who God really is and about who we are and what we think. If you read this book, your prayer life (and the rest of your life) will never be the same.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must for Your Christian Library, December 7, 2003

By 

James D. Dalton (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Daring to Draw Near: People in Prayer (Paperback)

I found it hard to make it through the first part of the book but after. I got to Hannah's prayer, a light clicked on. Daring To Draw Near helped me look at prayer differently. God is not a distant puppet master ignoring your prayers, but is a very real and present God, longing to hear from you.