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God's Prayer Book: The Power and Pleasure of Praying the Psalms

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God's Prayer Book, subtitled The Power and Pleasure of Praying the Psalms, is written by a man I believe has sought God to teach him how to pray. On page 7, the author states, "To be taught by the Bible to pray is to learn to want and feel what the Bible expresses - to say what it means and mean what it says." (p. 7) Ben Patterson currently serves as the campus pastor at Westmont College, and his book on praying the Psalms is really a powerful testimony of what God can do in our lives when we ask Him to teach us. Again, quoting the author on page 10, "So learning to pray is learning to ask for the things that God wants to give."

God's Prayer Book is not a book of rote prayer, but instead it is more of a guidebook of ideas. (a textbook, not a workbook) There are texts of 62 complete Psalms in the book, and each Psalms is followed by a brief aide and encouragement to pray as well as a suggested way to pray and apply that particular Psalm. The author suggests the lens of prayer to be tri-fold, one of Rejoicing, Repentance and Request. He also states that, "Prayer is not escape; it is engagement." (p. 24) To pray is to engage in spiritual warfare against the enemy that seeks to destroy the souls of men. That concept alone should change the way each of us approaches our prayer life!

I have decided that this is a book to be savored. I have not read every single chapter at this point, but I intend to do so in a slow, methodical manner. I want to become a powerful prayer warrior. I want to seek God's heart and His will for my life - especially my prayer life. God's Prayer Book is one I can recommend for those who want to strengthen their faith and draw into closer fellowship with Christ. I know I have been personally challenged already and I'm not finished with the book yet! I look forward to this journey with great anticipation! This makes a terrific daily devotional!! It is also beautifully bound and would serve as a special gift for someone who is seeking a closer walk with the Lord.

This is such a great book. It is not one to sit down and read in a day or over a weekend. It is more of a journey. Mr. Patterson walks you through the Psalms (though not all of them) and then encourages you to pray them, memorize them, and apply them to your life. It is a guided journey, of sorts, that refreshes, enlightens, teaches, and most of all helps you to get better acquainted with the Father and the Son - with the help of the Holy Spirit! I have thoroughly enjoyed this journey so far. This is definitely a great book to give as a gift - and I plan on ordering several for the holidays!! I have already had a couple of requests for the book from people that I have talked to about it!! You will NOT regret adding this one to your collection!! Thank you, Mr. Patterson, for such a wonderful resource!!!

This is a beautiful book. It is more than a typical devotional book with a scripture reference and a nice thought to tie in with the verse. Instead it has the full text of selected Psalms with insights to each one. I have enjoyed reading one a day during my regular Bible-reading and prayer time.

I once read that Billy Graham prays five psalms a day (completing all 150 in a month). The more I consider that practice, the more I am convinced that such spiritual discipline is much needed in our fast-paced lives. We too often lack time for prayer and Bible reading.

Most people admit that they would like to pray more. But how to start? How to continue? What to say?

We fail to realize that we have a divine prayer book available to us! Open up the Psalms and you will discover some of the most powerful prayers ever written - powerful because they were inspired by the Holy Spirit himself.

If you are looking for a resource to help you understand how to pray the psalms, then I encourage you to pick up God's Prayer Book: The Power and Pleasure of Praying the Psalms by pastor Ben Patterson. God's Prayer Book leads you through a selection of psalms, illuminating ways in which you can make these ancient prayers the cry of your own heart.

This is not a book of prayers inspired by the psalms. It is a book that puts the actual psalms in the spotlight. Patterson says just enough to stir our hearts to pray. He is a guide. He does not do the praying for you.

Neither should you expect a scholarly commentary on the psalms (though I admit I will consult this book whenever I preach through the psalms). God's Prayer Book is the best kind of devotional - one that shines light on the psalms and and offers some specific prayer points to get you started, without weighing you down with too many details.

The best part of Patterson's work is his focus on spiritual formation. Patterson believes that praying the psalms changes our desires:

"Prayer is more than a tool for self-expression, a means to get God to give us what we want. It is a means he uses to give us what he wants, and to teach us what he wants." (7)

Patterson sees the psalms as a mirror that reveal us. Whenever we read them, they show us who we are in light of God's majesty. But whenever we pray them, they change us.

God's Prayer Book contains the meditations of a man who has spent many years drinking deeply from the Scriptures. The book is also filled with good illustrations. Pastors will want to file away some of the stories for future use in sermons.

If it is true that "80 perecent of learning to pray is just showing up - and doing it" (22), then God's Prayer Book is the perfect way to get started.

Ben Patterson's "God's Prayer Book" is a wonderful journey through several Psalms. The rough cut edges give this book a rustic, ancient feel. Not only are entire Psalms printed in this book, the author offers several suggestions for prayer from these passages. There is also a decent starter list of what Psalms can be used for prayer over certain needs. This is a terrific book.

Have you ever tried to explore the Psalms? With God's Prayer Book Ben Patterson makes that possible. Mr. Patterson includes sixty-two Psalms in this text. After the Psalm, he includes short studies of several of the verses in that particular Psalm. I have been studying through the Psalms with my son and this is a wonderful resource.

It will probably occupy a long-term spot beside my bed. There is an introductory chapter that gives some background about prayer, the Psalms, and Jesus' relationship to the Psalms. The author quotes a lot of people including St. Augustine, St. Benedict, Martin Luther, John Calvin, and Peter Kreeft. Next, there are sections on each of 65 of the psalms. For each psalm, first the psalm itself is printed. Following that, one verse is highlighted. Next there are about two pages of reflective material, starting off with a real-life story that the author relates the the psalm and followed by some prayer pointers relating to particular verses.
I've tried praying the Liturgy of the Hours on occassion and while I liked the psalms, I almost found it to be too much of a good thing--or maybe I needed to pray it more so as to become more familiar with the psalms--but in any case, I have not found it to be, at least for now, the way I need to pray the psalms. This book may be.

I really enjoyed this book! I love the Psalms and I think Patterson does an excellent job of reminding us how beautiful the Psalms are and how much they reflect human emotion. It is easy to read and follow. The chapters are short tackling one psalm each. This is an excellent devotional book and would make a lovely Christmas gift too!

God's Prayer Book by Ben Patterson is a beautifully written guide and encouragement to praying the Psalms. The book of Psalms was used by the Jewish people for hundreds of years as a way to praise God, appeal to him, and beg his forgiveness, and we can do the same thing. Patterson really opens up the book with Biblical history, Scripture, and deep insight into why they were written and why they are still applicable today. I have loved reading this book. Sometimes my prayers feel stale or worn, but reading these Psalms with new eyes has allowed me to pray for my country, my family, my church, and my soul in new ways. Each chapter feels like a refreshing dip in warm water: comforting, cleansing, uplifting, renewing. Patterson lists several different ways to pray through the Psalms, making them your own personal prayer book so they will never grow old and will always offer new wisdom and comfort. Jesus quoted from Psalm 31 in his final words on the cross, "Father, into your hands, I entrust my spirit." Patterson says that some biblical scholars believe that Psalm 31: 5 was one of the earliest prayers Jewish mothers taught their children to pray for sleep each night. I entrust my spirit into your hand. Rescue me, Lord, for you are a faithful God. Knowing that Jesus prayed that prayer before death, a child's prayer before slipping into slumber, brings the Psalm to life and lodges it firmly in my heart. Full of depth, heart and wisdom, this is a book I will reread again and again.

I loved this book! With each chapter focusing on a different Psalm you really get a chance to not only learn more about the Psalms but to go deeper and reflect on the meaning of the Psalm for you personally. The author, Ben Patterson, does a wonderful job of making the book enjoyable and easy to read....you want to read more :o) This is a perfect compliment to your daily prayer time or devotional time! The author not only gives you a wonderful devotional but also suggestions on how to pray through the Psalm. I found myself using this book as a part of my time with the Lord every day because it was such a unique way to seek the face of God.