Customer Reviews

Praying: Finding Our Way Through Duty to Delight

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

 

 

One cannot help appreciating the seriousness with which the authors address our need to pray. The material presented is not so much new material (it's prayer, you know) as it is material arranged in a manner to make you THINK.

Although I prefer "God, Help Me Pray" (because of the format) this book will appeal to those who see prayer as more of a science than an art. But make no mistake, you will pick up some interesting tidbits if you're willing to read and study this book carefully.

Also recommended: "God, Help Me Pray!" (Emails to/from God)
"With Christ in the School of Prayer"

I have begun, and rarely finished, many books on the subject of prayer. This book (which I have not only completed, but am re-reading) by Packer and Nystrom has actually helped me improve my prayer life. I find that the groundwork they lay (to Whom we are praying), and their following discourses on the different types of prayer have allowed me more freedom of expression when speaking to God. I am not a theologian and have not had much difficulty with understanding the concepts presented. However, I do believe that this book is best read slowly, and reread again and again; the misconceptions and bad habits that we have adopted concerning prayer are not easily overcome.

Praying is a wonderful book, no wonder, for one of the autors is dr. J.I. Packer, well known as a sharp, insightful theologian author. The texts he wrote in 'Prayer'are easily recognizable. They are, as is usual, helpful and brilliant. Crisply written, with deep insights into this intriguing subject: the art of praying. The flaw in the book is the cooperation with his coauthor, ms. Nystrom. Who tells lengthy pages about her own adcentures as a boyscout leader. Skip these pages, you won't miss much. The rest, dr. Packer's rest, is sheer genius.

J.I. Packer is one of the heroes of the faith. I commend any of his books as essential, foundational reading for new and old Christians alike. But note that this book is co-authored, which is not surprising given the fact that Mr. Packer is well into his nineties. The Christian publishing industry seems enamored of producing co-authored books these days, but in my opinion, it is unfortunate, and this book is a prime example of why two authors can be problematic.

This collaboration has the feel of a rush job, thrown into the mix of the recent proliferation of books on prayer, using Packer's name to guarantee an audience. It just doesn't feel like a Packer book, so let me be candid in saying that my hunch is that this is mostly the work of Ms. Nystrom.

Many paragraphs begin by pointing out that the following thoughts are hers, and vice versa. It makes for a choppiness and chattiness that in no way resembles the superiour quality of J.I. Packer's finest works such as Knowing God, and Keep In Step With The Spirit. Perhaps it's not fair to compare ANY book to Packer's classics, but this book is simply substandard material.

It is an attractive looking volume, with a beautiful cover, promoted by a major publisher, featuring one of the all-time greats. Maybe I would be less critical if this was my first Packer book. He is one of the most influential evangelicals of the last century, principally because of his writing.

But this is mediocre at best. On this topic you are much better off with O. Hallesby's classic "Prayer" and Bryan Chapell's "Praying Backwards."

Now that I feel bad about ripping one of Mr. Packer's books, I suggest that if you want to be inspired, get a copy of Alistair MacIntyre's terrific biography, simply titled "Packer."

The authors of this book did a wonderful job answering questions and frustrations we have about prayer.

Although this book is biblically sound, it was very difficult to read especially for the average lay person. The writer jumps from thought to thought and uses very theological wording which made it very difficult to discern what exactly the point was.

Great service and I will do business with this seller again

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