Customer Reviews

Too Busy Not to Pray

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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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

I purchased this book in the hope of ending the unnerving silence I sometimes encounter when I don't know what to say to God. Not only did Pastor Hybels help me on this issue, but on many others as well. He asks very thought provoking questions, and answers them with honest Biblical truth. What does it take to have a quiet time with God every day? How do you listen to God effectively? How do you know if a spiritial leading is from the Lord or someting, or someone, else? God has unending ways of reaching us, and through Hybel's own experiences we see some of the Lord's methods. I particulary liked the study guide at the end of the book. Each chapter has anywhere from 8 to 10 questions challenging you to think back on your prayer life and ahead to finding a more enjoyable and sincere relationship with God. I'm looking forward to reading my notes in a few years and seeing how far I have come in my journey with Christ. Bill Hybel's book should be on any person's shelf who is yearning for a solid prayer life with God each and every day.

This is a great book because Bill Hybels doesn't just tell you how to pray but gives you pointers on how to design a pray journal and quiet time that will work for you. If you want a prayer plan to discipline you in your prayer life pick this book up. A Great Read.

Bill Hybels does a wonderful job showing the Christian that it is impossible to live the Christian life if you do not have a consistent, real prayer life. Bill talks about how he read 14 or 15 books on prayer and then he did the most amazing thing He began to pray and it changed his life in a dramatic way. Prayerlessness is a major sin in the body of Christ, this book goes along way in helping believers overcome this sin. Bill truly is a church Father who imparts such a fire into the body of Christ through this book. The only book that comes close to this on prayer is Alice Smiths book "Beyond the Veil". This is a must read for every Christian who is looking for authentic Christianity. I cannot recomend this book any more highly. You will not be dissappointed.

This was my first experience reading Bill Hybel's work and it won't be my last. While his writing style is not as engaging to me as that of a Max Lucado or Frederick Buechner, I think that Hybel's instruction and guidance made it one of the best Christian books that I've read. It covers many questions that people have about how to pray, as well as, how people can get off track with their understanding of prayer and it's purpose for our lives.

Power Chapter: "In my head I have always believed in God's omnipotence...But too often this belief hasn't registered where it really counts--in my heart (p. 31)." In chapter 3, Hybels shares his findings from studying God's power and omnipotence. He broke it down into "God's Power over Nature," "God's Power over Circumstances," "God's Power over Hearts," and "The Same Yesterday, Today, and Forever." After going into depth about God's power, he closes by reminding us that God, like a good father, doesn't want us to think we have to flog ourselves, begging for hours to get Him to pay attention; instead, God is "listening very closely, hoping" to hear our voices...that God actually takes great pleasure in meeting our needs.

Another strong aspect of Hybel's book is the way he approaches misconceptions in how we think about responding to the Spirit's promptings that come through a more disciplined prayer life. I think this part of the book is especially helpful because it addresses not just how to talk to God, but also how to hear and know better when it is God speaking in our lives. My favorite line in the whole book: "It never fails--in late January or early February when the Midwest goes into the deep freeze, I feel a strange but compelling calling to start a church in Honolulu." Me too, Brother. Me too;).

I highly recommend this book to new believers and those who consider themselves mature in faith but want to develop deeper more powerful prayer lives.

Bill Hybels takes a hard look at prayer in this book. He is straight forward about spending time with God. He stresses making a regular habit of prayer and "custom" designing a time with God that it just for you. This book opened my eyes to my own spiritual life and relationship with God. "It's amazing how many coincidences occur when we pray."