Most of us have trouble finding time to pray. There's church and school and neighborhood and job and friends and recreation. And then the crises hit! Time for prayer seems an impossible luxury. As a pastor, Bill Hybels knows hundreds of people with schedules like this. Yet in his own life he has made the hard discovery that prayer doesn't happen on the run. He decided he was too busy not to pray. Hybels's accessible introduction to prayer has already helped over 400,000 readers develop a rich and regular prayer life in the midst of life's busyness. Now, in this revised and expanded 10th anniversary edition, he includes new insights from his years of ministry and his own spiritual journey. He shows how to slow down to pray, listen to God, respond to what we hear, practice the presence of God and overcome prayer barriers. His fun and practical book offers the resources we need for growing, ongoing experiences in prayer.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
"A practical guide." -- BTS Booklist
"Everyone learns from models, and Bill Hybels not only shows how he prays but also helps us understand prayer. We are busy and we are getting busier! In Too Busy Not to Pray, you'll not only be inspired, but you'll have a guidebook for prayer for the rest of your life!" -- Rick Warren, author of The Purpose Driven Life
"The most helpful book on Prayer that I have read." -- The Good BookStall
"You cannot read this book without praying more, and praying better. It is thoughtful, clear, compelling and challenging--Bill at his best!" -- John Ortberg, pastor and author, Menlo Park Presbyterian Church --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
"Everyone learns from models, and Bill Hybels not only shows how he prays but also helps us understand prayer. We are busy and we are getting busier! In Too Busy Not to Pray, you'll not only be inspired, but you'll have a guidebook for prayer for the rest of your life!" -- Rick Warren, author of The Purpose Driven Life
"The most helpful book on Prayer that I have read." -- The Good BookStall
"You cannot read this book without praying more, and praying better. It is thoughtful, clear, compelling and challenging--Bill at his best!" -- John Ortberg, pastor and author, Menlo Park Presbyterian Church --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
About the Author
Bill Hybels is pastor of Willow Creek Community Church in the Chicago suburbs, where over 15,000 attend each weekend. Willow Creek's "seeker sensitive" approach to worship has influenced many churches across the U.S. and throughout the world. Hybels has written a number of books, including Honest to God, Becoming a Contagious Christian, Making Life Work and Too Busy Not to Pray.
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More About the Author
Bill Hybels is the founding and senior pastor of Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Ill., and chairman of the board for the Willow Creek Association. The bestselling author of more than twenty books, including Axiom, Holy Discontent, Just Walk Across the Room, The Volunteer Revolution, Courageous Leadership, and classics such as Too Busy Not to Pray and Becoming a Contagious Christian, Hybels is known worldwide as an expert in training Christian leaders to transform individuals and their communities through the local church. Hybels received a bachelor's degree in Biblical Studies and an honorary Doctorate of Divinity from Trinity College in Deerfield, Ill. He and his wife, Lynne, have two adult children and one grandson, Henry.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
35 of 38 people found the following review helpful
By Scott Furrow
Format:Paperback
One good thing that can be said about books by Bill Hybels: he hits the nail on the head with how Christians are today. In Too Busy Not To Pray, he accurately points out the flaws that many Christians have today in their attitude and approach to prayer. For example, Hybels asks why do we pray "Lord, be with us today", when we know from Scripture he's always with us? He suggests we pray "Lord, make us aware of your presence today." This small thing has helped me focus on what I'm actually saying in prayers, helping me to eliminate the jargon and have a more authentic and focused time with God. If you are a busy person like most of us, you may not be taking the time to actually know God, to pray, to know His will, to confess specific sins, to praise Him. This book gives good solutions and reasons for making prayer a priority above everything else. Good book, good scripture references, fast read. I recommend to anyone serious about knowing the Living God. - SCF.
28 of 31 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This straightforward volume revolutionized my prayer life when I first read it ten years ago. I have read a number of Hybel's works, and I must say this one is the best yet. His points are simple yet profound as he makes his case for the necessity of a strong and systematic prayer life. This tenth anniversary edition reinforces and elaborates upon the truths Hybels illustrated previously.
In the first portion of his book, Hybels focuses upon God and his willingness to answer prayer. He then moves to the role we play, describing various challenges and obstacles to effective, life-changing prayer. The best part of this work is the third portion, in which he emphasizes the importance of listening to God, responding to His leadings, and living in His presence.
There are many books available on prayer, a large number of which I have read. I cannot think of one other single volume however, that describes the vital nature of prayer, and offers practical tools for prayer, than this book.
Get it, read it, then see for yourself the difference God makes in your own prayer life!
18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
13 chapters and a group of study questions to provoke thought and/or discussion leads the reader thru the author's own discoveries regarding prayer. Hybels, by his own admission, acknowledged what many of us don't: that "praying on the run" does not properly develop or nurture a relationship with God. In a fast-paced, super sophisticated world where we can barely escape work and a host of other stresses because of today's technology, we suffer from "ultra-business". Barely having out enough time to brush our teeth or eat properly, prayer for many of us, is a "back-burner activity". The discoveries Bill Hybels made can help all of us examine our own habits, and enrich our prayer life with God, such as "how to slow down to pray", "how to listen to God" and "how to overcome barriers". Readers must approach this book with honesty and a willingness to examine their own thoughts and habits. It would do all of us well to consider that even Jesus took time to slow down and be with God, alone. Jesus, tempted by all as we are, was Himself perfect, and yet found in Himself a need and desire to seek the Father's face. When His life became public, and His ministry active, many clamored for His attention. In the midst of that hectic activity, Jesus took time out to spend with the Father. In that we are imperfect, and do fall into temptation, how much more do we need to seek the Father? This eye-opening book offers insightful answers to those questions.
20 of 22 people found the following review helpful
By Tim Allison
Format:Paperback
This is a refreshing an honest look at an important topic from a person of sound theology, personable style and some hard won experience. He does a beautiful job of painting a scriptural portrait of the heart of God and how prayer is the lifeline to experiencing his heart.He also does a nice job in exploring the necessary components for realizing the full potential of this powerful spiritual activity. In addition to this he wrestles with some of the toughest prayer challenges like: The hurt of unanswered prayer, Prayer busters and Hearing God's leading. I felt he treated these subjects relatively well considering the immense implications of each topic. The book also includes some great questions arranged by chapter, as a means to reflect upon the aspects of prayer in your life. I am finding these particularly useful in my journaling and prayer time as I work at developing this area of my walk. A very good book on prayer...I recommend it without reservation.
13 of 15 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
I had purchased two other prayer books: Lord, Teach Me To Pray by Kay Arthur and Releasing the Prayer Anointing by Larry Lea (both of which are excellent books), but neither was giving me what I needed.
Besides knowing HOW to pray I had to WANT to pray. I just couldn't figure out why I never made time for prayer. This book has changed the way I look at prayer and how I approach prayer. I'm excited to pray instead of burdened by the thought of having to pray.
The most profound idea that stands out to me in this book is the idea of reflecting upon your day. How can you grow/be delivered or even know what to pray for when you haven't taken the time to really assess where you are in your walk with God and where you want to go.
If you just can't get into prayer, but you really really want to, this book it for you.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great, easy read.
A short book that highlights the importance of prayer and communication with our heavenly Father as means of growth, development, and acquiring what He has in store for us.
Published 2 months ago by Ari
5.0 out of 5 stars
Rev Andrew Hogarth
This is a classic. Our whole church have used it, Ive preached using its titles and the content, humility and graciousness of this book has been a "game changer" for myself, our... Read more
Published 4 months ago by A. Hogarth
5.0 out of 5 stars
Too busy not to pray
This is a beautiful book for anyone who is a busy person finding it hard to find time for Prayer & just spending time with God.
Has a lot of helpful ideas.
Has a lot of helpful ideas.
Published 4 months ago by Little Lyn
5.0 out of 5 stars
easy to read, encouraging book
Every time I read more of this book, I feel a sense of peace. I find it to be a very good balance to the scary stuff in the world, because it reminds us that we can talk to God... Read more
Published 20 months ago by Emmelie
5.0 out of 5 stars
Exceeded Expectations
The product arrived before I expected. They must have sent it out immediately upon receipt of the order. It was packaged well ( in a bubble wrap envelope) to prevent damage. Read more
Published on February 12, 2011 by Lucy B
5.0 out of 5 stars
Everyone needs Pray
This book really opened my eyes about how wee need to pray. It gave insight into the Lords Prayer. We need to keep in contact with our maker, he cares and loves us more than we... Read more
Published on February 11, 2009 by Mark R
3.0 out of 5 stars
simple
One thing I have agreed with the other reviews on, is that this book is a quick easy reading book. I have really enjoyed reading this. Read more
Published on December 10, 2008 by J. Warren Benton
5.0 out of 5 stars
Creator of the Universe on line 1, is anyone calling?
Got a lot going on? Do you think you are too busy to pray? Well, this book shows you the benefits of an active prayer life, an action plan for starting or restarting a prayer... Read more
Published on October 20, 2008 by Jeffrey R. E. Morgan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Slow Down and Experience God
This book is short, simple and straight forward. Follow the advice and experience a profound shift in your relationship with God. Read more
Published on September 30, 2008 by Belinda Meyer
5.0 out of 5 stars
excellent
Our prayer group has used this book for our weekly sessions and we have all been very happy with it. It is easy to read, interesting and very practical. Read more
Published on June 5, 2008 by Gillian J. Wolfe
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