Customer Reviews

The Folly of Prayer: Practicing the Presence and Absence of God

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Doesn't prayer often feel like that, folly? Let's be honest, if it didn't then why is prayer so difficult? We wonder, are our prayers heard? Do they really make a difference? Matt Woodley, author of Holy Fools, has just written one of the best books I've read on prayer - The Folly of Prayer.

Woodley takes, what can often be seen as the one-dimensional spiritual discipline of prayer - and showcases all of it's glorious facets. He shows all the different kinds of things that prayer looks like, from groans and wanderings to bread and wine to mystery and the most dangerous activity you can pursue.

Woodley demonstrates how these paths to prayer will open our hearts to God and to other people. What will be surprising to most readers is that the 11 paths that Woodley outlines, are deeply biblical. As you follow these paths to prayer - it will give you freedom and refreshment in how you pursue God and commune with Him.

Woodley has hit another home run with this book- as he did with Holy Fools. Get this book, read it, and let it guide you to a place that will turn this "seemingly foolish" practice of prayer into something very precious.

I picked up this book expecting it to be just another book to make me feel guilty about my prayer life, but I've been amazed at how much it resonates with me and my experience! Finally - someone saying that it's okay to complain at God, to groan, to be authentic because of the relationship, instead of always having to have the right words and attitudes of submission from the get-go. I'm finding tremendous freedom and also growing through this book - highly recommended.

I began reading The Folly of Prayer sitting in the Bozeman, MT airport. A middle aged lady sitting across from me made eye contact at one point and had a distraught look on her face.

After a bit more reading we all got up to board the plane and the lady had forgotten her drink on the ground. I got her attention and she politely said she didn't want any more of it and she'd just as much leave it on the floor to be picked up. She had a Minnesota accent.

Garrison Kiellor's stories about old Lutheran women began to swim in my mind. I thought I was going to get a theological pummeling. It began, "Is that book you are reading pro-prayer or against prayer?"

"It's definitely for it."

"What types of prayer, what is he saying about prayer? I love reading books like that."

"I don't really know what it's about yet, I've just read the introduction."

"What are you doing reading a book like that."

"I am reading it to review it on my blog."

"Is that your full time job? How much do you make doing that?"

"I don't make anything! I have an office job. I do this on the side..."

I eventually steered the conversation toward my recent graduation with a MA and a discussion about Barbara Kingsolver.

There is a certain folly to conversations like this that Matt Woodley wants us to hold onto concerning prayer. His book, The Folly of Prayer, is not a book on how to pray better (with five easy steps!) as much as a book that tries to demythologize prayer as a saintly, silent, and stoic spiritual discipline.

Woodley describes eleven different types of payer in the book: Groaning, Physical, Desperation, Mystery, Absence, Argument, Journey, Dangerous, Paying Attention, God's Heartbeat, and Love. In each type, Woodley presents not only the joys of praying this way but also the deep frustrations of prayer in certain modes. His strongest chapters are his more mystical one's, as he aptly describes how prayer in the midst of God's absence and prayer as God's Heartbeat are both harrowing and triumphant spiritual experiences.

Woodley defines prayer as practicing the presence and absence of God, and as such he is keenly aware of the spiritual disciplines not being about sustaining "God moments" but instead about long term spiritual renewal, the ebb and flow of awakening and absence that permeates all of our lives. And most importantly, prayer is not about production. As Woodley says,"prayer is notoriously unproductive" in the sense that it does not cause something to happen or change a circumstance all the time (152). Instead, the joyful folly of prayer, is that prayer is about an authentic relationship with God, a spiritual discipline that gives us the opportunity to be real with God as we are with our spouse or best friend---and an opportunity for us to be present in God's reality (or realize his presence in his absence).

This book was very helpful to me as a positive outlook on prayer in God's absence. How often are the prayers we pray similar to the Psalms? We always try to praise, praise, praise, but our days are no different than David's. Sometimes we should be angry, or in danger, or suffering, or lamenting, or confused, or bewildered, or dreadfully aware of God's absence. Yet, we should continue to pray, even when it seems unproductive, for that is the joyful, wonderful, and beautiful folly of the authentic prayer life.

This book is fresh, evocative, and beautifully written. I've read many books on prayer, and Woodley's approach is innovative and deeply rooted in Scripture, church history, and a rich interpretation of the theology of prayer. I was deeply moved by many of his stories, as well as his transparent and gritty writing style.

PastoralMusings is way off base. That comment was ridiculous. First of all, nature is certainly a legitimate means of connection between Creator and his creations, and to suggest that Woodley is pantheistic is dangerous and ungracious. Secondly, I actually appreciate some of the Catholic mystics Woodley describes. These have been some of the greatest thinkers and spiritual leaders the Church has known in its history, and we have much to glean and learn from their example and approach to prayer. It is arrogant to assume we cannot grow from what they have taught us.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and it helped me see prayer in a new light.

My heart rejoices at some of the phrases Matt Woodley uses in this book to describe prayer. Phrases like; plowing our hearts, dark night of the soul, longing to be with God, loving well, patiently waiting and many more. He departs from the evangelical playbook to scandalize the reader with the warts and blemishes of the community of Jesus followers. For example on page 70, "So the felt absence of God propels us into a personal crisis and a potential public-relations fiasco. God feels far away, but don't let the secret out. What would our friends think? It certainly wouldn't help promote the image of the victorious and happy Jesus-follower who vanquishes adversity and keeps smiling through the dark seasons of life." On page 76 he says,"In our terms today, we'd choose our guitar driven worship songs or organ led hymns ahead of actual spiritual transformation in Christ." Describing what 1Corinthians refers to as carnal believers. The scandal continues on page 107 where he describes waiting on God as the art of love, we find. "Where ever patience is absent" quoting David Baily Harned "love sours, leaving no more than a dreadful parody of itself." Is not this parody of love the mainstay of our modern Protestant community?

It is refreshing to hear such candor-such open, honest and loving commentary but Matt doesn't leave the reader in despair. He plumbs the depths of God's purpose in our lives, providing wonderful insights into unanswered prayer, the problem of pain, dark nights of the soul and God's sometimes perplexing timetable. He is on an exciting journey of knowing God and is sharing his own mid-term evaluation with anyone who has an open heart and ears to hear.

I have two criticisms. First, although I heartily recommend the book on content, I think it lacks in authority. Not Scriptural authority (I find it quite in-sync with Scripture), but the kind that comes from personal experience. The author seems to hold back in sharing his own experiences. He is a brother in Christ sharing his thoughts and insights with a fellow sojourner (me). I do enjoy this but what I expected was a how-to book, if you will, on how to engage God in the fullness of His spirit; a sort of spiritual guide. Undoubtedly Mr Woodley has undergone some difficult growth experiences in his life. He seems very guarded in the little that he does share. He tosses in a couple of safe stories from his Minnesota fellowship and a bit of his Long Island experience but then he makes puzzling references like, "Five years ago I couldn't do that..." or "Three years ago I would have had plenty of answers ... (pg 167)." And again, "Just recently I learned to cook (pg 165)." These carefully crafted statements leave me wondering. I have been through broken relationships and can sympathize with him not wanting to bare his heart in public but I'm guessing that God has used some intense circumstances to bring Matt Woodley to Himself in the deep and satisfying way that He has. I felt a little short-changed; like he is telling only half the story. This of course is his prerogative, I'm just not sure it's book worthy.

The second reason has to do with my own personal disparagement at the liturgical (pg 39 "Making the sign of the cross ... is a ... prayer in itself..."), sacramental (pg 28 "formal sacraments ... crucial for growth..."), trinitarian (pg 161, "Christian faith is Trinitarian faith"), and Sunday morning concept of Christian community. He is steeped in the traditions of men is this regard and although it is mostly subliminal, it seems to detract from his stated goal of helping us "come alive to God and others like never before (pg 10)." I do look forward to worshipping around God's throne with my brother Matt. He seems to have a heart after God.

Mark A. Oliver
Bear DE
August 2011

Ok, seldom have I found an IVP book that I do not like. This one almost made the list.

First, the good points, however. The author conveys a passion to meet with God and learn from God. He wants prayer to be both Biblical and practical.

So far, so good.

The first chapter on "prayer as guttural groaning" was a good chapter. Indeed, prayer does at times come, not from our intellect, but from our hearts. Sometimes words fail us. So very true. It is good to be reminded of the fact that God still hears us even though we have no idea what to ask from Him.

Prayer as desperation, and prayer as a dangerous activity were good chapters, too. In fact, so was the conclusion that spoke of prayer as praying. These were very good chapters. They spoke to the subject of prayer and sought to do so in a Biblical manner.

I was not impressed, however, with the connection of prayer with nature. No doubt one can feel closer to God when close to nature and apart from distractions. I did, in fact, receive a reminder that I need to be out in nature a little more, and by it enjoy God. This chapter simply put me off in a bad way. I felt a dangerous closeness to a pantheistic outlook. I do not think this was intentional on the part of the author, and it may have been simply my subjective feelings.

The chapters on prayer as mystery, absence, arguing with God, and listening came too close to a sort of mysticism that is not Biblical. The Biblical references seemed forced, and the theology seemed lacking.

All in all, the writing was not something that grabbed me, either. The author simply did not grab my attention and hold it. Sadly, for me, the book was an overall disappointment. That is unusual for IVP.