Book Note: Books on Prayer

I have recently started reading a few pages daily from these four books on prayer. I’m trying to deepen the focus of my prayer time.

James M Houston. The Transforming Friendship: A Guide to Prayer

I believe this is the best book available on prayer. Dr. Houston is 101 years old and was one of the founders of Regent College in Vancouver, B. C. Canada. His personal website has details of his life and books. His autobiography, Memoirs of a Joyous Exile and a Worldly Christian, is an excellent book. It is full of stories about colleagues and friends from C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien to Martyn Lloyd-Jones. It is an education on the history and theological struggles of the 20th century.

Spurgeon on the Priority of Prayer. compiled by Jason K. Allen

Spurgeon viewed prayer as the focus of his personal life and pastoral ministry. There were people praying during the church’s services- for him and for the people, for clarity of preaching and the conversion of souls. Allen has compiled a guide to most of his sermons on prayer. He lists the biblical text, gives a summary of the sermon, has notable quotes from the sermon and where in Spurgeon’s work the full text of the sermon is located. His summaries are very helpful to stimulate and guide my prayers.

Charles F. Stanley. Prayer: The Ultimate Conversation

This a a good summary of a theology of prayer. It is very readable and clear.

Craig Groeschell. Dangerous Prayers: Because Following Jesus Was Never Meant to Be Safe

This is a challenging volume that shows us how the biblical prayers assume a difficult life in a fallen world. These chapters help me to focus in the reality of my world.